The United States is advocating for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as a precondition for signing a peace agreement aimed at ending years of conflict in the region. According to sources familiar with the ongoing negotiations, the draft agreement authored by U.S. officials mandates that Rwanda must remove its troops, weapons, and military equipment from Congolese territory before any formal accord is finalized.
The draft, seen by Reuters and confirmed by four diplomatic sources, marks a significant escalation from a previous declaration of principles signed in April in Washington. That initial document, endorsed by the foreign ministers of both nations and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, committed the parties to respect each other’s sovereignty and address security concerns through dialogue.
However, Rwanda’s alleged military involvement in support of the M23 rebel group reportedly numbering between 7,000 and 12,000 troops has complicated peace efforts. The rebel group seized control of Goma and Sake earlier this year in a swift military campaign. Rwanda has consistently denied direct involvement, insisting its military actions are in self-defense against hostile militias tied to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Despite the urgency expressed by Massad Boulos, U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, who aims for a peace agreement “within about two months,” the path forward remains fraught. Rwanda has yet to formally respond to the U.S. draft. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe indicated that discussions would continue this week in Washington between Congolese and Rwandan experts.
The draft also proposes a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism involving Rwandan and other foreign military observers to manage security threats, including remnants of Rwandan Hutu militias in eastern Congo. Additionally, it controversially suggests allowing the M23 group to participate in a national dialogue an idea Kinshasa fiercely opposes, viewing M23 as a terrorist group and tool of Rwandan influence.
With pressure mounting and diplomatic stakes high, the U.S. effort underscores both the urgency and complexity of restoring stability in one of Africa’s most volatile regions.
