Congo: In a pivotal step toward ending years of armed conflict in Central Africa, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) convened the inaugural meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee on July 31, 2025, under the terms of the Washington-brokered peace deal signed on June 27. The meeting, held with the backing of the African Union, Qatar, and the United States, marks the first formal engagement between the two nations since signing the accord aimed at restoring regional stability.
While the committee’s launch meets the agreement's 45-day implementation window, major provisions of the deal including the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory, military action against the FDLR rebel group, and the activation of a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism have yet to materialize. U.S. officials remain cautiously optimistic, stating the process is still intact, though progress is slower than hoped.
The meeting also comes amid a parallel peace track between the DRC government and the M23 rebel group, which is widely believed to be backed by Rwanda. On July 19, M23 leaders and Congolese officials signed a Declaration of Principles in Qatar, pledging to reach a final peace agreement by August 18. The declaration covers issues like the restoration of state authority, return of displaced persons, and prisoner exchanges, but questions remain over the group’s territorial withdrawals.
Despite these diplomatic moves, violence persists on the ground. M23 forces continue to engage Congolese army-aligned Wazalendo militias in North and South Kivu, with recent clashes displacing thousands. Reports from international observers, including the United Nations, have also confirmed the presence of Rwandan troops and advanced weaponry supporting rebel offensives inside Congolese territory.
Human rights organizations have raised alarms over ongoing abuses, with the UN Human Rights Council calling for independent investigations into atrocities committed by both M23 and the Rwandan military. Critics also point out that the peace accords lack robust provisions for justice and accountability.
The coming weeks are seen as crucial. Analysts say progress will hinge on whether Rwanda initiates a verifiable troop withdrawal, whether the Joint Security Mechanism begins operations, and whether the M23-DRC track culminates in a credible final peace deal by mid-August.
Until then, hope for peace remains cautiously alive but increasingly fragile as military confrontations andu7 humanitarian crises continue to haunt the region.