On 27 June 2025, in Washington, D.C., the foreign ministers of the DRC and Rwanda sign the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity — the treaty intended to end the conflict between the two states in eastern Congo.

The text calls for withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the DRC, ending support for the FDLR, a joint security mechanism and a regional economic integration framework, including on critical minerals, with US involvement.

The signing follows an April declaration of principles and a 19 June preliminary deal, under US and Qatari mediation; M23 is not a party and negotiates separately in Doha.

Implementation stalled: Rwandan forces did not withdraw at once, and fighting in the Kivus continued. Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame later ratified the package on 4 December 2025.

For Great Lakes diplomacy, 27 June 2025 marks the formal signing of the DRC–Rwanda peace agreement in Washington.

Official context is documented by the State Department and international coverage of the ceremony.

The DRC–Rwanda peace agreement of 27 June 2025 remains the Washington milestone of the eastern Congo peace process.

Image: Washington / diplomacy; Wikimedia Commons. Cropped to 16:9.

Source consulted: 2025 DRC–Rwanda peace agreement. Treaty text: Peace Agreement between the DRC and Rwanda (US State Department).