Representatives of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached a draft agreement that could end decades of conflict. The breakthrough, mediated by the US and Qatar, provides for the "disengagement, disarmament and conditional integration" of armed groups fighting in eastern DR Congo. It also includes provisions for a joint security mechanism to prevent future flare-ups. The peace deal is expected to be formally signed next week. The deal could open the way for billions of dollars of western investment in the mineral-rich region, which been plagued by conflict for three decades. However, analysts say that many questions still remain about the contents of the peace deal. The US State Department said technical teams had initialled the draft text on Wednesday, ahead of a formal signing ceremony next Friday to be witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a statement, it said the deal was reached during three days of "constructive dialogue regarding political, security, and economic interests" between officials of the two countries in Washington. The latest draft agreement builds on a previous accord signed earlier, it added. In late April, Rwanda and DR Congo signed an agreement in Washington, promising to respect each other's sovereignty and come up with a draft peace deal within days. The decades-long conflict escalated earlier this year when M23 rebels - widely believed to be backed by Rwanda - seized swathes of mineral-rich territory in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda denies supporting the M23, insisting its military presence in the region is a defensive measure against threats posed by armed groups like the FDLR - a rebel group composed largely of ethnic Hutus linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The M23 captured Goma in late January, followed by the city of Bukavu, and has since set up governing structures in the regions under its control. Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands of civilians forced from their homes in recent months following the rebel offensive. Following the loss of territory, the government in Kinshasa turned to the US for help, reportedly offering access to critical minerals. Eastern DR Congo is rich in coltan and other resources vital to global electronics industries. Peace deals between the two countries have unravelled in the past. Last year, Rwandan and Congolese experts reached an agreement twice under Angolan mediation on the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and joint operations against FDLR - but ministers from both countries failed to endorse the deal. Angola eventually stepped down as a mediator in March. Go toBBCAfrica.comfor more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter@BBCAfrica, on Facebook atBBC Africaor on Instagram atbbcafrica
Rwanda and DR Congo agree draft peace deal to end conflict
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"Rwanda and DR Congo Reach Draft Peace Agreement Amid Ongoing Conflict"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Representatives from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have made significant strides towards achieving a lasting peace agreement that aims to resolve decades of conflict in the region. This draft agreement, facilitated by mediators from the United States and Qatar, encompasses provisions for the disengagement and disarmament of armed groups operating in eastern DR Congo, as well as the potential for their conditional integration into the national framework. A key component of the agreement is the establishment of a joint security mechanism designed to mitigate the risk of future conflicts. Following a series of constructive discussions focused on political, security, and economic interests, the US State Department announced that technical teams from both countries had initialed the draft text, paving the way for a formal signing ceremony scheduled for next week, which will be attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The deal is anticipated to unlock significant Western investment in the mineral-rich eastern region, which has suffered from violence and instability for over thirty years.
Despite the optimism surrounding the draft agreement, analysts caution that numerous questions remain regarding its implementation and the commitment of both parties. The conflict has seen a resurgence this year, particularly with the M23 rebel group, which is alleged to have Rwandan backing, capturing significant territories in eastern DR Congo. Rwanda, however, has denied these allegations, asserting that its military presence is solely a defensive response to threats posed by groups like the FDLR, which is linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The M23's recent territorial gains have resulted in widespread violence, displacing hundreds of thousands and leading to significant civilian casualties. Previous peace agreements between Rwanda and DR Congo have often faltered, such as those mediated by Angola, which sought to establish troop withdrawals and joint operations against rebel factions. As both nations move towards a potential peace deal, the international community remains watchful, hoping that this time the agreement will hold and lead to lasting stability in the region.
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