DRC-Rwanda: Three key dates in the implementation of the Washington Agreement (By John Masebi)

Kinshasa, July 21^st, 2025 (CPA).- The peace agreement signed on June 27^th, 2025 in Washington between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda mentions, as part of its implementation, three key dates that coincide with the establishment of mechanisms and processes intended to lead to the restoration of lasting peace in the region. These instruments and processes are the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism between DRC and Rwanda, the Joint Monitoring Committee and the Regional Economic Integration Framework. ‘The Parties establish and agree to launch, within 30 days of the entry into force of this agreement, a joint security coordination mechanism between DRC and Rwanda, which will operate solely in accordance with the conditions agreed between the Parties,’ it is read in the point 3 of the Agreement. The Joint Security Mechanism aims to create common operational procedures and reporting mechanisms to ensure transparency in the scope and scale of operations between the two countries. It is further governed by the following principles and the implementation plan set out in the annex to the Washington Agreement, namely: the irreversible and verifiable end of state support for the FDLR and associated armed groups, and a total ban on any material, logistical, financial or other support, whether domestic or foreign, to the latter. Secondly, a commitment to identify, assess, locate and neutralise in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Harmonised Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR and the Disengagement of Forces/Lifting of Defensive Measures by Rwanda (CONOPS) of  October 31^st, 2024, resulting from the Luanda process. Then, a commitment to build on the already successful bilateral security cooperation agreements, under which operations are targeted, timely and focused on a specific threat. And finally, the protection of civilians and respect for international humanitarian law. Twenty-five days have passed since the Agreement was signed in the US capital. This leaves, in theory, five days for the establishment and launching of this Joint Security Coordination Mechanism. The second instrument is the Joint Monitoring Committee, which is supposed to be already in place under the agreement (point 7, paragraph a). Furthermore, its first meeting is scheduled to take place no later than 45 days after the treaty enters into force, and is planned to be held in Washington. ‘The first meeting of the Joint Monitoring Committee shall take place as soon as possible and no later than 45 days after entry into force. The Parties shall consider holding the first meeting of the Committee in Washington,’ the document indicates. The signatory parties therefore theoretically have until August 10^th for this important meeting. Finally, the agreement has provided for the launching of a regional economic integration framework ‘within three months’ of its entry into force. ‘The Parties agree to launch, within three months of the entry into force of this Agreement, the regional economic integration framework in several stages, which will be defined in a separate agreement entitled “regional economic integration framework”,’ it is read. The said framework is based on existing efforts, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) and the East African Community (EAC).  The signatory parties are expected to use this framework to develop foreign trade and investment from the region’s critical mineral supply chains and introduce greater transparency, which it is hoped will block illicit economic channels and bring greater prosperity to both parties ‘through mutually beneficial partnerships and investment opportunities.’ ACP/