Representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda met this week in Washington with U.S., Qatari and African Union officials to review progress in implementing a 2025 peace agreement aimed at easing tensions in eastern Congo.
The meeting, held April 23, marked the fifth session of the Joint Oversight Committee, which was set up to monitor the agreement signed in Washington on June 27, 2025. Togo participated as the African Union mediator, alongside the African Union Commission.
Officials said both Congo and Rwanda presented updates on steps taken to de-escalate tensions and improve conditions on the ground since the committee’s previous meeting in March.
Qatar briefed participants on ongoing negotiations between Congo and the AFC/M23 rebel group. The committee welcomed the talks and thanked Switzerland for hosting the latest round of discussions, describing the Doha process as key to advancing the broader peace effort.
All parties reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining momentum in the peace process. Congo and Rwanda also expressed appreciation to the United States, Qatar, Togo and the African Union for supporting efforts to restore stability in eastern Congo and the wider Great Lakes region.