The United States has hosted fresh peace talks between Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Washington, aiming to calm the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo
This was the first meeting since the US imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force and several of its officers earlier in March, accusing Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group a claim Rwanda denies
During the talks, all sides agreed on practical steps to reduce tensions. These include respecting each other’s borders, gradually pulling back forces from certain , and increasing efforts by Congo to deal with armed groups like the FDLR
The conflict has been intense since M23 fighters captured large areas of eastern Congo in early 2025, raising fears of a wider regional war, especially near the border with Burundi
The US says the goal is to prevent further escalation and protect civilians, while also supporting long-term peace and stability in the region
Even though both countries signed a peace agreement in late 2025, fighting and mistrust have continued, showing that the situation remains fragile
Source: TRT Africa
