After the signing of the Washington Agreement between Congo, Rwanda, and the U.S. as mediator, the deal continues to spark intense controversy—especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On the Rwandan side, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe stated after the signing:
“The first step is to begin implementing the CONOPS plan to dismantle the FDLR, followed by the removal of Rwanda’s defensive measures.”
However, his Congolese counterpart, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, declared:
“The first phase is troop withdrawal—meaning Rwanda must pull out its forces from Congolese soil. The second phase is dismantling the FDLR, which is Rwanda’s main security concern.”
What does this agreement actually bring to Rwanda?
Rwanda’s key concerns seem well addressed. Looking closely at the agreement, it’s clear that Rwanda has gained significant ground on two strategic fronts.
First, the deal clearly states the FDLR must be dismantled—not only mentioned, but embedded at the core of the operational plan. This reflects Rwanda’s longstanding view that the FDLR—a group considered terrorist by Kigali—poses an existential threat. The global community has often cited the FDLR’s presence as justification for Rwanda’s interventions in the DRC. The agreement now provides a joint mechanism to permanently eliminate this threat, thereby ensuring Rwanda’s national security.
Second, economic interests have also been addressed—especially regarding shared resources like national parks and Lake Kivu. Rwanda has long advocated for cross-border collaboration on the sustainable use of these resources, such as the Volcanoes National Park and Kivu’s natural wealth.
The agreement proposes the creation of a regional economic coordination body focused on enhancing trade, investment, and, notably, transparent governance of mineral extraction and resource management, including in energy, national parks, and Lake Kivu. Analysts say this gives Rwanda unprecedented strategic influence, possibly bordering on regional oversight, but legally grounded in international accords.
A Historic Summit in August
The global community watching the Great Lakes Region is now awaiting a symbolic and strategic moment: a summit in Washington, D.C., this August, where the presidents of Rwanda, Congo, and the U.S. will formally endorse the deal. President Trump called the accord:
“A historic agreement to end 30 years of conflict.”
