• Congo and Rwanda agree to draft a peace deal by May 2.
• Agreement signed in Washington, aimed at ending hostilities in eastern Congo.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio witnessed the agreement ceremony.
• Both nations committed to cease military support to armed groups.
• The deal coincides with ongoing violence linked to Rwandan-backed M23 rebels.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have committed to drafting a peace agreement by May 2, following a joint declaration signed in Washington on April 25. This agreement aims to address ongoing violence in eastern Congo, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have made significant territorial gains, capturing key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, leading to numerous deaths and displacements. The signing ceremony was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who highlighted the importance of this diplomatic step for both countries and the region, according to AllAfrica, Reuters, and BBC.

The agreement includes a commitment from both nations to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and to refrain from providing military support to non-state armed groups. This pledge comes after escalating tensions that have seen approximately 7,000 fatalities since January. Both nations have experienced mutual distrust, particularly regarding accusations of Rwandan support for the M23, which Rwanda consistently denies, claiming they are acting in defense of their national security, as reported by Reuters and TRT Global.

Congo's Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, emphasized that the agreement represents a serious commitment towards achieving peace and stability, calling for further dialogue to ensure that peace is “earned” through accountability and sincerity. Rwandan Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, remarked on the potential for significant economic investments in the region, particularly from the U.S., as emphasized by Secretary Rubio during the signing event, according to AllAfrica and Le Monde.

This joint declaration follows previous ceasefire agreements that have failed to hold, raising skepticism about the effectiveness of this latest initiative. Nevertheless, the U.S. has expressed its readiness to facilitate investment in key sectors, hoping to stabilize the region and potentially restore a semblance of peace through economic cooperation. The DRC’s need for international support in mitigating the humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the conflict is urgent, as indicated by multiple reports from Reuters, TRT Global, and SCMP.