Barometer of Peace Agreements in Africa
Washington Peace Agreement
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The Washington Peace Agreement, also known as the DRC-Rwanda Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025, is a landmark peace treaty between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, aimed at ending decades of conflict in the Great Lakes region of Africa. The Agreement includes provisions for respecting territorial integrity, prohibiting hostilities, disarming and integrating armed groups, and establishing a joint security coordination mechanism. It also facilitates the return of refugees and internally displaced persons and establishes a regional framework for economic integration.
The Concept of Operations of the Harmonized Plan for the Neutralization of the FDLR and the Disengagement of Forces/Lifting of Defensive Measures by Rwanda ("CONOPS") of October 31, 2024, is also an integral part of the Washington Peace Agreement.
The Agreement builds upon a "Declaration of Principles," which was signed in April 2025 in Washington, following extensive negotiations led by the United States and Qatar.
Key Pillars and Tasks
The Washington Peace Agreement (including the "CONOPS") is based on six (6) fundamental pillars, namely: (1) respect for the territorial integrity of the states concerned, (2) cessation of hostilities, (3) disarmament and conditional reintegration of non-state armed groups, (4) regional economic cooperation, (5) protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law, and (6) the joint security mechanism.
These fundamental pillars could be broken down into specific tasks, perceived as targeted reforms that each actor, or all actors, would be required to accomplish according to a mutually agreed-upon timetable. The 30 tasks identified and required by the Washington Peace Agreement for the signatory parties and other key actors could, for example, include the following elements:
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The Joint Oversight Committee: Mandate and structure
The Joint Oversight Committee is established to ensure the effective implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. Its members include the DRC, Rwanda, the African Union Facilitator, Qatar, and the United States.
Mandate of the Joint Oversight Committee:
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Receive complaints from the Parties regarding violations of the Agreement and resolve related disputes;
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Take appropriate measures to address any violations;
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Monitor and assess alleged violations and facilitate their resolution;
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Appoint representatives or establish ad hoc mechanisms to help resolve specific disputes related to the Agreement;
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Strive to make decisions and resolve disputes by consensus.
1. Prohibition of hostile acts/aggression or ceasefire,
2. Respect for the territorial integrity of each country,
3. Implementation of the harmonized plan for neutralization of the FDLR,
4. Implementation of the harmonized plan for the disengagement of forces/lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures (CONOPS),
5. Preparation, identification, and location of the FDLR,
6. Neutralization of the FDLR,
7. Withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the DRC (i.e., disengagement of forces/lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures),
8. Evaluation of the neutralization of the FDLR and the withdrawal of Rwandan troops,
9. Prohibition of state support for armed groups to attack either country,
10. Prevention of hostilities by non-state armed groups,
11. Coordination of the disengagement of non-state armed groups,
12. Coordination of the disarmament of non-state armed groups,
13. Coordination of the integration of non-state armed groups,
14. Conditional integration of armed groups (e.g., M23) into the FARDC and PNC,
15. Implementation: Establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism between the DRC and Rwanda,
16. Adoption of common operational procedures to ensure transparency in the operations of the joint security coordination mechanism,
17. Promotion of stability, security, and development in the region,
18. Protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law,
19. Return of refugees,
20. Return of internally displaced people,
21. Provision of humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations,
22. Support from the DRC and Rwanda for the work of MONUSCO and other multilateral peacekeeping forces,
23. Support from the regional and international community to the signatories of the agreement,
24. Launch of the regional economic integration framework,
25. Launch or expansion of bilateral cooperation on the management of national parks and resources in Lake Kivu,
26. Launch of bilateral cooperation on hydropower development and derisking of mineral supply chains,
27. Economic monitoring and combating corruption in mineral supply chains and infrastructure projects,
28. Establishment of the Joint Oversight Committee,
29. Amicable settlement of disputes and
30. Monitoring the effective implementation of the Agreement
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