Rwanda urges full implementation of peace deal to stabilise DR Congo

Mr Nduhungirehe added that the implementation should include the framework agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington, D.C.

News Agency of Nigeria • December 8, 2025

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe [Photo Credit: diplomatmagazine.eu}

Rwanda on Monday urged the full implementation of the existing framework agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), saying that honouring the commitments is essential to restoring regional stability.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Olivier Nduhungirehe told the BBC that the priority for all parties should be to implement existing agreements, which “have obligations for each side.”

Mr Nduhungirehe added that the implementation should include the framework agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington, D.C.

He stressed that Rwanda’s main security requirement is the neutralisation of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

The minister said progress on this would allow Rwanda to lift its defensive measures.

“The Congolese side cannot talk about Rwandan troops or anything about Rwanda without talking about each part of the deal, which is to neutralise the FDLR that are supported by the DRC government,” he added.

Mr Nduhungirehe dismissed claims in a recent UN report alleging that Rwanda controls M23 operations inside the DRC and equips the rebel group with advanced weapons.

“Rwanda doesn’t support the M23. The M23 is negotiating with the DRC government in Doha to find a solution to the problem they have,” he said.

He noted that the framework agreement, signed on November 15 in Doha between the DRC government and the M23, aims to address root causes, including the marginalisation of Congolese Tutsi communities.

“They should actually focus on the support that the FDLR is getting from the DRC government,” he added.

The recent framework agreement between Rwanda and the DRC, signed on December 4, reaffirmed the need for Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the DRC and for both nations to disarm armed groups such as the M23, with U.S. support for implementation.

Despite recent diplomatic steps, tensions remain high in eastern DRC, where both the DRC military and M23 have accused each other of violating a ceasefire amid ongoing mediation.

(Xinhua/NAN)

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