Qatar has worked alongside the U.S. to mediate between the DRC and Rwanda after tensions between both sides soared in 2022.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda are scheduled to sign a peace agreement on June 27 following mediation efforts led by Qatar and the United States to end the major tensions between the two countries.
The U.S. State Department on Wednesday announced the latest development in the negotiations, confirming the official signing date of the agreement, which followed three days of constructive dialogue.
“Qatar participated in these discussions to ensure complementarity and alignment between both countries’ initiatives aimed at dialogue and peace in the region,” the statement said, noting that the U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be witnessing the signing.
The agreement includes stipulations for upholding territorial integrity, prohibiting hostilities, disengaging, disarming, and conditionally integrating non-state armed groups.
Both parties would also reach an agreement to create a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism, facilitate the return of refugees and internally displaced individuals, ensure humanitarian access, and establish a regional economic integration framework.
“The DRC and Rwanda expressed their appreciation for the valuable contributions and joint efforts of the United States and Qatar as partners in advancing a peaceful resolution. We look forward to the subsequent Summit of the Heads of State in Washington, D.C.,” the statement said.
Qatar has worked alongside the U.S. to mediate between the DRC and Rwanda after tensions between both sides soared in 2022 when the March 23rd Movement (M23) launched an offensive in eastern DRC.
The U.S., the United Nations and DRC have long accused the M23 of being backed by Rwanda—claims that Kigali repeatedly denied. The deadly conflict led to a dire humanitarian crisis in DRC and the internal displacement of at least 7 million people.
By 2025, the M23 captured the major cities of Goma and Bukavu, a move that worsened the humanitarian crisis.
Qatar previously attempted hosting peace talks in January 2023 amid the M23-led escalations, but the negotiations appeared to gain momentum since the start of the year.
On March 18, Qatar’s Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani gathered DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame at the Lusail Palace in the Gulf state.
The meeting in Doha marked the first face-to-face talks between the two presidents since the M23 rebels launched a deadly offensive in eastern DRC.
The DRC and M23 then agreed to a ceasefire in the east of the country following Qatar’s mediation in April, which followed a new round of talks in the Gulf state in May. The deal came after the collapse of more than six previous truces and ceasefires since 2021.
