The United States is pushing for a major condition in a proposed peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo: the complete withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Congo. According to sources familiar with the discussions, Washington is working behind the scenes to resolve the long-running conflict, with hopes of unlocking billions in Western investment for the resource-rich region.
President Trump’s administration is leading this diplomatic push. Massad Boulos, a senior advisor to Trump on African affairs, told Reuters in May that the U.S. wants the peace agreement finalized within two months. It’s an ambitious timeline, given that the conflict has roots dating back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
A draft of the agreement, reviewed by Reuters and confirmed by multiple diplomatic sources, includes clear terms. It requires Rwanda to remove all troops, weapons, and military equipment from Congolese territory before the deal is signed. This goes further than the declaration of principles signed earlier in April by the two countries’ foreign ministers, which simply called for respect for sovereignty and mutual security concerns.
Reports from analysts and diplomats indicate that Rwanda has deployed between 7,000 and 12,000 soldiers in support of the M23 rebel group, which recently captured major cities in eastern Congo. Rwanda, however, denies backing M23 and maintains its military presence is defensive, aimed at neutralizing Hutu militias operating in Congo. These groups include remnants of those responsible for the 1994 genocide, which killed about a million people, mostly Tutsis.
So far, Rwanda hasn’t officially responded to the U.S. draft agreement. Congolese officials are urging swift action, accusing Rwanda of stalling. A senior aide to Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi said that a full troop withdrawal remains non-negotiable for Kinshasa. He emphasized that there will be no peace without that step.
The agreement also proposes creating a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism. This would include observers from multiple countries to manage ongoing security issues, including the activities of armed Rwandan Hutu groups still operating in eastern Congo. While Rwanda considers these groups a threat, analysts argue their influence has significantly weakened over time.
Another sensitive issue in the draft is Kinshasa’s potential commitment to include M23 in a broader national dialogue with other non-state armed groups. For Congo, which views M23 as a terrorist organization and a proxy of Rwanda, this would be a tough concession.
Meanwhile, Congo and M23 are holding separate direct negotiations to end hostilities. Qatar is hosting parallel talks in Doha and recently presented both parties with a draft proposal. Delegates are expected to consult their leaders before continuing discussions.
Despite the efforts, progress remains slow. A rebel source told Reuters that no final deal has been reached and that M23 has not committed to giving up control of any territory.
By Lucky Anyanje