Kinshasa, DRC : The Congolese government says the latest developments under the Washington Peace Agreement mark one of the most important steps yet toward ending the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
During a special press briefing on “the evolution of the peace process,” Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya and Minister of Regional Integration Floribert Anzuluni outlined what they described as major progress in implementing the security commitments agreed between the DRC and Rwanda under U.S. mediation.
The briefing focused on one issue that has dominated relations between Kinshasa and Kigali for decades: the FDLR.
What Is the Washington Agreement?
The Washington Agreement is a peace accord signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda under U.S. facilitation.
According to the Congolese government, the agreement contains security commitments for both countries.
The main obligations include:
Rwanda withdrawing its troops from Congolese territory.
The DRC neutralizing the FDLR through an agreed process.
Implementation through an operational roadmap known as the CONOPS (Concept of Operations).
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Jul 29, 2026
Aug 2, 2026
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Kinshasa, DRC : The Congolese government says the latest developments under the Washington Peace Agreement mark one of the most important steps yet toward ending the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
During a special press briefing on “the evolution of the peace process,” Government Spokesperson Patrick Muyaya and Minister of Regional Integration Floribert Anzuluni outlined what they described as major progress in implementing the security commitments agreed between the DRC and Rwanda under U.S. mediation.
The briefing focused on one issue that has dominated relations between Kinshasa and Kigali for decades: the FDLR.
What Is the Washington Agreement?
The Washington Agreement is a peace accord signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda under U.S. facilitation.
According to the Congolese government, the agreement contains security commitments for both countries.
The main obligations include:
Rwanda withdrawing its troops from Congolese territory.
The DRC neutralizing the FDLR through an agreed process.
Implementation through an operational roadmap known as the CONOPS (Concept of Operations).
Government officials stressed that both sides have responsibilities and that lasting peace depends on each party fulfilling its commitments.
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Who Are the FDLR?
The Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) are an armed group formed around 2000 by elements linked to Rwandan refugees who fled into eastern Congo following the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The Congolese government said the movement has existed for more than two decades and has long been cited by Rwanda as a security threat.
However, during the briefing, Minister Anzuluni argued that Kinshasa believes Rwanda has repeatedly exaggerated the group's military significance and used its existence to justify interventions inside the DRC. He nevertheless said the DRC agreed, under the Washington process, to take steps to neutralize the group.
What Has Changed?
The government announced that the political and military leadership of the FDLR has signed a protocol agreeing in principle to:
Demilitarization
Disarmament
Demobilization
Cantonment in secure sites
Officials described this as an important milestone in implementing the DRC's commitments under the Washington Agreement.
What Happens Next?
According to Minister Anzuluni, the process is expected to unfold in several stages.
First, combatants would enter secure cantonment sites where they would surrender their weapons and leave military structures.
The government said those accused of serious international crimes would still face justice under applicable legal processes.
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After demobilization, former fighters would either:
Return voluntarily to Rwanda if conditions allow, or
Be relocated to a third country if voluntary return is not considered safe.
Officials said at least one African country has already expressed willingness to receive former combatants, although it was not publicly identified.
Why Does This Matter for Rwanda's Withdrawal?
One of the key messages from the briefing was that Kinshasa believes fulfilling its own commitments removes one of Rwanda's principal security arguments.
Minister Muyaya argued that if the FDLR issue is addressed through the agreed process, there should be no remaining justification for the continued presence of Rwandan forces in eastern Congo.
The government therefore said it now expects Rwanda to implement its own obligations under the Washington Agreement, including withdrawing its troops from Congolese territory.
How about the Six FDLR Operational Zones ?
Officials explained that the CONOPS identifies six operational areas where FDLR elements are believed to be located.
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According to the Congolese government:
Five of those six zones are currently outside Kinshasa's control and are under Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 control.
Only one identified area remains under government control.
Minister Anzuluni argued that this makes Rwanda's withdrawal essential if the agreed demobilization process is to be fully implemented across all identified areas.
Government Position on the FDLR
Throughout the briefing, Congolese officials repeated their view that the FDLR has served as a long-standing justification for Rwanda's military actions in eastern Congo.
Patrick Muyaya said the government's objective is to remove what it considers Rwanda's remaining “pretexts” by implementing the DRC's commitments under the Washington Agreement while expecting Kigali to do the same.
What Comes Next?
The government said implementation will continue through a detailed operational plan involving:
Congolese authorities
MONUSCO
Regional organizations
International technical partners
Independent monitoring mechanisms
Officials said they expect these structures to oversee demobilization, cantonment and eventual repatriation or relocation of former combatants.
Kinshasa says the ultimate goal is to eliminate one of the central security issues in the peace process so that attention can shift from conflict toward reconstruction, development and regional stability.
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