Fri Aug 01 11:20:57 UTC 2025: ## DRC and Rwanda Hold First Oversight Meeting on Peace Deal Amid Implementation Delays

**Washington D.C.** – The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have taken a step forward in implementing their June peace agreement with the first meeting of a joint oversight committee held in Washington D.C. on Thursday. The African Union, Qatar, and the United States joined the meeting, which addressed progress on implementing the agreement, according to a joint statement released on Friday.

The deal, brokered earlier this year with the support of the U.S., aims to end the long-standing conflict in eastern DRC, a region rich in valuable minerals but plagued by violence. The agreement focuses on respecting territorial integrity, halting hostilities, and includes provisions for economic cooperation.

A key component of the deal is the planned withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern DRC within 90 days, as well as Congolese military operations targeting the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a DRC-based armed group comprised of remnants of the Rwandan army responsible for the 1994 genocide. The establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days of the deal’s signing was also mandated.

However, implementation has faced challenges. The joint security coordination mechanism meeting has not yet occurred, and the withdrawal of Rwandan soldiers and operations targeting the FDLR have not commenced, despite the 30-day deadline having passed.

Despite these delays, the joint oversight committee meeting occurred on schedule, within 45 days of the deal’s signing. Massad Boulos, senior Africa advisor during the Trump administration, maintains the deal is “not off track,” promising an announcement regarding the security mechanism meeting soon.

While acknowledging the delays, sources familiar with the negotiations suggest they are not yet jeopardizing the entire agreement. However, military and diplomatic sources report that armed groups, including Rwanda-backed M23 and DRC-aligned Wazalendo fighters, have been reinforcing their military presence on the front lines, highlighting the fragile nature of the peace process. The joint oversight committee is intended to address implementation and resolve disputes, representing a crucial forum for keeping the peace deal on track.

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