Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo held their first joint monitoring committee meeting in Washington on Friday following the signing of a peace agreement.
During the meeting, which was also attended by representatives of the African Union, Qatar and the United States, the parties discussed mechanisms for implementing the agreements reached.
According to US Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos, “extensive work” has been done to implement the agreements reached. “If you look at the chronology of the work we have done since April, it has been extensive and very much in line with our aspirations. So we are not off track at all,” Boulos said.
The US presidential adviser on Africa also added that the date of the meeting within the security mechanism would be announced in the coming days.
Military and diplomatic sources told Reuters that the parties to the conflict, including the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Vazalendo militia, had strengthened their military presence on the front line.
On June 27, Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement in Washington. It includes provisions on respect for territorial integrity and a ban on military action, as well as on the disengagement, disarmament and reintegration of non-state armed groups. The parties will establish a bilateral security coordination mechanism, facilitate the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homeland, open access for humanitarian aid and confirm the mandate of MONUSCO.
On 4 July, the Chamber of Deputies of Rwanda unanimously approved the ratification of the document. The document has now been forwarded to the Senate of Rwanda.
