• Rwanda and DRC held their first joint oversight committee meeting on a peace deal.
• The peace agreement includes provisions for Rwandan troop withdrawal and economic cooperation.
• International observers from AU, US, and Qatar participated in the meeting.
• Initial progress in operationalizing the agreement has been documented, despite some delays.
• Further discussions on security and economic frameworks are set for August.

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) held their first meeting of a joint oversight committee on July 31, marking a significant step towards implementing a peace deal signed in June. This meeting included representatives from the African Union, Qatar, and the United States, who participated as observers and facilitators in the peace process designed to end conflict in eastern Congo and promote stability in the region, according to Reuters and Al Jazeera.

The peace agreement, achieved through U.S. mediation, includes a commitment for Rwandan troops to withdraw from eastern DRC within 90 days and the establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days. However, significant time has passed since the signing without noticeable progress on these fronts, such as operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) or the aforementioned troop withdrawal. Despite the delays, Trump's senior Africa advisor, Massad Boulos, reiterated that the deal is "not off track," and a meeting of the security mechanism is expected soon, as reported by Anadolu Agency and TRT Global.

During the oversight committee meeting, participants selected chairpersons and established governing terms for future proceedings. This move brims with optimism for implementing the peace deal and addressing violations that may arise, as noted in statements made by representatives from both countries. They expressed gratitude for the involvement of international partners in facilitating their discussions, highlighting a broader commitment to securing peace and stability in the conflict-ridden eastern regions, according to Al Jazeera and TRT Global.

Building on this momentum, Rwanda and DRC have agreed on an economic framework aiming to enhance bilateral cooperation across several sectors, including energy and mineral supply chains. This initiative follows the peace agreement's principles, aimed at attracting investments and reducing resource-driven conflicts. Both countries recognize their "full, sovereign control" over natural resource exploitation while intending to foster a cooperative environment to avoid funding armed groups through resource trade. The preliminary draft of this framework is expected to undergo further consultation with the private sector before finalization, as detailed by Al Jazeera and Reuters.