The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to take “concrete steps” to ease tensions amid a stalled peace process, following talks hosted by the US in Washington.
The two countries, along with the US, have pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Rwanda will disengage its forces and lift “defensive measures” in defined areas in DR Congo’s territory, while DR Congo will intensify efforts to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The agreement comes after the US sanctioned Rwanda’s military and four senior officials, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, which controls large parts of eastern DR Congo.
Rwanda denies supporting M23, citing security threats from armed groups in DR Congo.
