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Mediation

UN Secretary-General Welcomes Peace Agreement Between DRC and Rwanda

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has welcomed a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, signed in Washington, DC. The agreement marks a significant step towards de-escalation and stability in the eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region. The DRC has been plagued by dozens of armed groups since the 1990s, with the Government accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, a charge Rwanda has denied. The M23 launched an offensive earlier this year, capturing cities and villages, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths and hundreds of thousands of displaced people.

Key Takeaways:

  • The peace agreement is a significant step towards de-escalation, peace, and stability in the eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.
  • The agreement was facilitated by the US, in coordination with Qatar and the African Union Mediator, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.
  • The UN, through its peacekeeping mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, remains committed to supporting the implementation of the agreement.
  • The agreement commits the parties to honor their commitments under UN Security Council resolution 2773 (2025), including a cessation of hostilities and other agreed measures.
  • The UNHCR views the agreement as an opportunity to stop the cycle of violence and displacement, restore dignity, stability, and opportunity, and promote durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced people.
  • The agreement can bring renewed hope to those who have endured violence and displacement for far too long.
  • Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees, sees the agreement as a chance to turn the page and advance durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced people.

Statistics:

  • Dozens of armed groups have been active in the eastern DRC since the 1990s.
  • The M23 attack earlier this year resulted in thousands of civilian deaths.
  • Hundreds of thousands of people were displaced due to the conflict.
  • UN Security Council resolution 2773 (2025) was unanimously adopted in February.
  • The agreement was signed in Washington, DC.

Sources:

  • Statement by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
  • Statement by the UN refugee agency, UNHCR.
  • Resolution 2773 (2025) of the UN Security Council.
  • UN News.

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