Washington: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have taken a significant step toward stabilizing relations by initialing an economic cooperation framework in Washington. The agreement, called the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), marks the first formal step in linking economic development with the broader peace efforts between the two nations.
The framework, facilitated by the United States under President Donald J. Trump’s administration, aims to strengthen cross-border trade, infrastructure development, and resource management. It is part of a wider peace process that seeks to end years of conflict in eastern Congo, where armed groups have destabilized the region and strained relations between the neighboring countries.
Officials from both governments met in Washington this week and formally initialed the framework, indicating agreement at a technical level. A full signing ceremony involving DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame is expected to take place at the White House, although a date for the event has not yet been confirmed.
According to U.S. mediators, the economic framework will only move forward once both sides make measurable progress on key security issues. These include the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Congo and joint operations to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia group that has long operated in the area.
Despite recent diplomatic momentum, the process has already experienced delays. The two countries had initially aimed to launch the economic integration framework by the end of September, but that deadline passed without implementation. The initialing of the REIF now marks renewed progress after months of stalled talks.
In a joint statement released by the U.S. State Department, the DRC, Rwanda, and the United States reaffirmed their commitment to advancing both peace and economic development in the region. The statement urged both sides to prioritize humanitarian access, disarmament efforts, and the safe return of displaced civilians.
The initiative has drawn attention from regional and international observers who view economic cooperation as a potential pathway to lasting stability. Analysts say the REIF could pave the way for investment in mining, energy, and transport sectors, provided that peace efforts hold on the ground.
However, tensions remain high. The DRC recently criticized the European Union for maintaining a minerals trade deal with Rwanda despite allegations that Kigali supports rebel groups in Congo. This criticism underscores the fragile trust between the two nations, even as they engage in U.S.-backed talks.
Peace experts caution that without concrete security progress, the economic framework risks being symbolic rather than transformative. Efforts to integrate armed groups such as the M23 rebels and to ensure the withdrawal of foreign troops are seen as essential for sustaining peace.
The coming weeks will be crucial as both governments work toward a formal signing of the REIF. The U.S. has indicated that it will continue to play a central role as guarantor and mediator, alongside African Union and regional partners.
If successful, the agreement could mark a turning point in one of Africa’s most persistent conflicts replacing decades of tension with a new phase of economic cooperation and regional.