The United States recently hosted meetings aimed at supporting the implementation of the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, which was signed in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2025. These meetings took place from July 30 through August 1 and focused on both security aspects of the agreement and establishing a framework for regional economic growth.
On August 1, representatives from the DRC and Rwanda initialed the text of the Regional Economic Integration Framework Tenets, an action required by the Peace Agreement. This framework includes cooperation in areas such as energy, infrastructure, mining, national park management and tourism, and public health. The goal is to promote economic progress and improve living conditions across communities in the Great Lakes region.
On July 31, delegations from both countries held their first meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee to oversee implementation of the agreement. The session was observed by representatives from the United States, Qatar, Togo (as African Union facilitator), and the African Union Commission. The committee is tasked with implementing provisions of the Peace Agreement and resolving disputes that may arise during its execution. At this inaugural meeting, participants appointed Chairpersons to the Commission, established governing terms for operations, and prepared for launching a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism.
According to a statement issued following these meetings: "This week’s meetings represent a significant step forward in implementing the Peace Agreement, with the DRC and Rwanda taking meaningful actions to advance security and economic cooperation. The United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting these efforts and, as the parties make progress implementing the Peace Agreement, looks forward to hosting the Summit of the Heads of State in Washington, D.C., to drive peace, stability, and economic prosperity."
The initiative is expected to unlock substantial economic potential within Africa’s Great Lakes region by ensuring lasting peace through collaborative development efforts.
