Rwanda has formally demanded that the Democratic Republic of Congo be held accountable for not fulfilling its obligations under the Washington Accords, particularly the neutralisation of the FDLR militia and the cessation of its collaboration with Congolese forces. The FDLR, composed of remnants of forces responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, has operated in eastern DR Congo for decades, carrying out attacks against Rwanda and targeting Tutsi communities in the region.
The Washington Accords, signed by Presidents Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi on 4 December 2025, require the militia’s neutralisation and Rwanda’s removal of defensive measures against it. Speaking at a UN Security Council briefing on 29 September, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Martin Ngoga, said Kigali had already taken steps to lift its defensive measures and reported progress through the Washington mechanisms.
Ngoga warned that despite Rwanda’s actions, the FDLR remains operational and continues to cooperate with the Congolese army (FARDC) and other armed groups, citing UN Secretary‑General reports that confirm the militia’s presence in Rutshuru, Masisi, Nyiragongo and Walikale. He detailed a pattern of joint logistics, including February deliveries of 13 tons of ammunition to Pinga and Kibua, March air‑drops of 12 tons of supplies to Ntoto, and a late‑March shipment of 693 rifles and six tons of ammunition destined for the FDLR and allied groups.
Ngoga said the pattern continued through mid‑year, with August intelligence indicating FARDC cooperation with the CNRD/FLN, FDLR and local militias in Walungu Territory. He rejected a recent arrangement between the Congolese government and the FDLR, calling it a “delaying tactic” that does not satisfy the neutralisation requirement of the Washington framework.
Rwanda also highlighted that the Washington Accords already contain verification mechanisms, operational concepts and timelines, and urged that any separate deals not replace these agreed commitments. The ambassador stressed that the FDLR’s genocidal ideology and its proximity—only three to five hours by road from Kigali—pose an immediate security threat to Rwanda, not a distant concern.
Rwanda remains engaged in the Joint Oversight Committee and Joint Security Coordination Mechanism, and has proposed a tripartite verification mechanism involving Rwanda, DR Congo and the United States to monitor implementation. This proposal aims to ensure accountability and transparency in the neutralisation process.
The situation remains tense, with Rwanda calling for DR Congo to honour its commitments under the Washington Accords. The international community is watching closely, as the FDLR's continued activity poses a significant threat to regional stability and security.
Key points
- Rwanda's UN envoy urges DR Congo to meet commitments under 2025 Washington Accords to neutralise FDLR militia.
- FDLR militia continues to operate in eastern DR Congo, posing an immediate security threat to Rwanda.
- Rwanda proposes tripartite verification mechanism to monitor FDLR neutralisation.
