Rwanda and DR Congo reconvene in Geneva as security pledges stall
Officials from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are meeting in Geneva on September 16-17 to review implementation of the 2025 Washington Accords. The talks come amid ongoing fighting in eastern DRC and unresolved commitments, including neutralizing the FDLR and Rwanda's troop disengagement. Mediators from the US, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union are facilitating the discussions.
The Joint Security Coordination Mechanism session marks another checkpoint in a process that began with the June 2025 peace agreement and was reinforced by the December 2025 Washington Accords. Mediators from the US, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union Commission will observe the two-day review. The FDLR, rooted in militias that fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, remains a core Rwandan security concern, while Kinshasa continues to allege Kigali's support for M23—claims Rwanda denies. M23's 2025 offensive captured Goma and Bukavu, major provincial capitals, though the group sits outside the formal agreement.
Continued stalemate could prolong instability for millions in eastern DRC, where armed groups and repeated fighting have disrupted lives for decades. Delays on FDLR neutralization and Rwandan troop disengagement may deepen mutual distrust, potentially affecting regional trade and diplomatic relations. The Geneva talks may offer a limited window for de-escalation, though outcomes remain uncertain.