CIVICUS discusses the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda with Gentil Akilimali, Executive Secretary of the Centre of Hope for Human Rights, a Congolese civil society organisation that supports victims of human rights violations in the DRC through legal, psychological and social assistance.
On 27 June, the DRC and Rwanda signed a peace agreement in Washington, DC, with the aim of resolving persistent regional tensions through diplomacy. Following the agreement, the DRC issued an ultimatum demanding the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from its territory and an end to all support for armed groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and M23. The DRC has threatened to launch a military offensive if these conditions aren’t met. The potential for further conflict comes at a time when eastern DRC is still experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis.
