Envoys from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) met in Garmisch, Germany, from October 20-22, 2026, to discuss the implementation of a peace agreement aimed at resolving the long-standing security issue in eastern DRC. The meeting was facilitated by the United States and brought together experts from both countries, as well as representatives from the African Union, Qatar, and various US agencies. The talks focused on monitoring and harmonizing the implementation of a joint security plan.
The meeting was an effort to follow up on a joint security plan agreed upon by both countries in August 2026. During that meeting, the parties committed to finalizing a document outlining the disarmament and dismantling of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR) in DRC and the removal of Rwandan security forces. The US welcomed the constructive dialogue between the envoys, who demonstrated a commitment to achieving lasting peace as envisioned in the Washington Agreement.
The Washington Agreement was signed on June 27, 2025, by the foreign ministers of Rwanda and DRC, facilitated by the US. The agreement aims to establish a new framework for resolving the security issue in eastern DRC, which has persisted for years. The agreement was later reaffirmed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in the presence of US President Donald Trump on December 4, 2025.
The agreement includes provisions for the disarmament and dismantling of the FDLR, the removal of Rwandan security forces, respect for the sovereignty of both countries, and the establishment of a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the agreement. While progress has been made, challenges persist in implementing the agreement. DRC has been accused of not taking sufficient action to disarm the FDLR.
The FDLR, a rebel group operating in eastern DRC, has been a major security concern for Rwanda. The group has been accused of carrying out attacks against Rwandan civilians. The Rwandan government has called for the group's disarmament and dismantling. DRC, however, has been accused of having ties with the group.
The US has expressed support for the implementation of the Washington Agreement, saying it will help bring stability to the region. The US has also provided technical assistance to both countries to help them implement the agreement. The international community has welcomed the progress made so far but urged both countries to continue working together.
Despite the progress made, the implementation of the agreement remains a challenge. The two countries have different priorities and interests, which has hindered the implementation of the agreement. The international community has called for both countries to work together to address the security issue in eastern DRC.
Key points
- The envoys of Rwanda and DRC met in Germany to discuss the implementation of the Washington peace agreement.
- The agreement aims to disarm and dismantle the FDLR and remove Rwandan security forces from DRC.
- The implementation of the agreement remains a challenge due to different priorities and interests of the two countries.
