• Rwandan President Paul Kagame is uncertain about the durability of the DRC peace deal.
• The agreement mandates a withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern DRC within 90 days.
• Kagame highlights the need for cooperation from the DRC to ensure the deal's success.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame expressed reservations about the sustainability of a recent US-brokered peace agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), stating, "If the side that we are working with plays tricks and takes us back to the problem, then we deal with the problem like we have been dealing with it," during a press conference in Kigali. His remarks followed the signing of the agreement aimed at curbing ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where fighting has escalated due to the activities of the M23 rebel group, which Kigali is accused of supporting, a claim Rwanda denies, asserting self-defensive actions against Congolese forces and certain militia groups linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR). The agreement stipulates that Rwandan troops must withdraw from eastern DRC within 90 days. Kagame's comments underscore the precarious nature of the deal, emphasizing it relies heavily on the DRC's commitment to dismantle the FDLR for the plan to succeed, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

Praising the efforts of the US government, particularly the mediation by the Trump administration, Kagame stated, "I'm thankful for President Trump's decision. Even if it doesn't work, I don't think they (US) should be the ones to be blamed because in the end, they are not the ones to implement what we have agreed." Kagame highlighted the importance of goodwill among all parties involved to maintain peace, emphasizing Rwanda's intent to honor its commitments within the framework of the peace deal. This initiative responds to critical concerns from the DRC, including the need for territorial integrity and disarmament of armed factions, according to TRT World and AA.

The road to peace remains fraught with challenges, particularly given the historical context of violence in eastern DRC, where the resurgence of the M23 has exacerbated tensions. As reported, clashes between M23 and DRC government forces have led to significant casualties and displacement, with over 3,000 deaths and 500,000 people displaced, emphasizing the urgent need for a lasting resolution. Both the DRC government and M23 have agreed to continue discussions, returning to Qatar for further negotiations aimed at ending hostilities, reports TRT World and Reuters.