The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda will sign a U.S.-brokered peace agreement on 27 June,aiming to end years of deadly conflict in eastern Congo.
The accord follows three days of negotiations in Washington,facilitated by the U.S. and Qatar,and is expected to be signed in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The draft agreement includes key provisions such as respect for territorial integrity,a prohibition on hostilities,disengagement and disarmament of non-state armed groups,and their conditional integration into national forces. A Joint Security Coordination Mechanism will also be established to oversee the process,along with measures to support humanitarian access and the return of displaced populations.
The move follows months of intensifying violence,particularly from M23 rebels who,with alleged.
Rwandan backing,seized the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu earlier this year. The conflict has displaced over seven million people and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. While past peace efforts have faltered,the U.S. hopes this deal will hold and unlock economic opportunities in the mineral-rich Great Lakes region. However,concerns remain about whether rebel coalitions like the Congo River Alliance will honor the agreement. A regional summit will follow the signing to reinforce peace and economic cooperation.
United News - unews.co.za