Congolese negotiators have dropped their demand for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, paving the way for a US-brokered peace agreement to be signed between the longtime foes on Friday.
The agreement aims to secure Rwanda’s gradual withdrawal of its troops, estimated to be around 7,000, who have been supporting the M23 rebels in their fight against the Congolese army.
In return, the US seeks to gain access to critical minerals in the region, including tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
According to sources, the new version of the agreement would see the withdrawal of Rwandan troops over several months, conditioned on operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group that Rwanda considers an existential threat.
The Congolese government is intent on securing the disengagement or total withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory.
The peace deal is expected to be signed in Washington, following a diplomatic push by the US administration to end years of conflict between the two countries.
