The second meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee (JOC) for the implementation of the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda took place in Washington. Participants noted a slowdown in the process but reaffirmed their commitment to its full implementation, according to a joint statement published by the U.S. State Department.
The meeting, attended by representatives of the DRC and Rwanda, as well as the United States, Qatar, Togo (as a mediator from the African Union), and the African Union Commission, was held on September 3.
The negotiations focused on finding ways to address challenges, including recent outbreaks of violence in eastern DRC, and implementing the peace agreement signed by Kinshasa and Kigali in Washington on June 27. The provisions of the agreement include respect for territorial integrity, a ban on military operations, disarmament of non-state armed groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the March 23 Movement (M23), and the establishment of a security coordination mechanism.
"Committee members acknowledged delays in implementing certain provisions of the Agreement and emphasized their shared determination to ensure its full and timely implementation to promote peace, stability, and prosperity in eastern DRC," the statement said.
The committee welcomed the establishment of a joint secretariat of the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union (AU), which will provide technical support for the process.
Representatives of the DRC emphasized that there is no policy supporting the armed group FDLR, while Rwanda reiterated its commitment to respecting the territorial integrity of its neighboring state. Kinshasa and Kigali also pledged to cease any state support for non-state armed groups, except in cases related to the implementation of the agreement.
Additionally, the parties agreed to establish direct exchanges of intelligence and military information ahead of the next meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism in Doha.
"These actions are key to unlocking the full potential of regional economic integration, which will open key economic corridors to support long-term development and stability in the region," the release stated.
Qatar also provided an update on the progress of negotiations involving the DRC and M23, describing them as crucial for resolving the conflict in the eastern part of the country.
In early August, Rwanda and the DRC agreed on the main provisions of a regional economic integration plan as part of the peace treaty.
The first meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee for the implementation of the agreement took place on July 31.
