Kinshasa, DRC
The Democratic Republic of Congo announced on July 28 a new protocol for the voluntary disarmament of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Rwandan Hutu militia with a long history in eastern Congo, according to reports from Kinshasa. DRC officials presented the initiative as a step toward fulfilling obligations under the Washington Accords, the US-brokered peace agreement signed in 2025. The protocol would allow FDLR members to surrender voluntarily, return to Rwanda, or relocate to third countries, with the aim of reducing hostilities in a region ravaged by decades of conflict and displacement.
Rwanda quickly rejected the protocol, calling it a violation of the Washington Accords, according to reports from Kigali. Rwanda's foreign minister accused Kinshasa of deliberate delays and insisted that the agreement requires the complete dismantling and neutralization of the FDLR, rather than negotiated or voluntary measures, emphasizing that piecemeal approaches undermine essential security provisions.
The US-brokered Washington Accords established a framework for de-escalation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Under the agreement, the DRC committed to neutralizing Rwandan-backed rebel groups within its territory, while Rwanda agreed to withdraw its forces or cease defensive operations in the region. The agreement also envisioned broader regional economic integration, particularly around critical minerals, though its implementation has faced repeated setbacks since its signing in mid-2025.
Current tensions stem from mutual accusations: Kinshasa alleges that the Rwandan army supports the M23 rebel movement, which controls significant territory in North Kivu, while Kigali maintains that the DRC harbors and supports elements of the FDLR that pose a direct threat to its borders. Despite ceasefires and diplomatic efforts, including a separate negotiation framework with the M23 mediated by Qatar, violence and displacement continue to affect millions of people in eastern Congo.
International mediators are expected to intervene in the coming days to clarify implementation timelines and prevent escalation. Both nations have expressed their commitment to the Agreements in principle, but differing interpretations of disarmament obligations highlight the deep mistrust in the peace process.