DRC and Rwanda launch joint oversight committee for Washington peace deal
By Mustafa Juma, August 1, 2025The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda on Thursday, July 31, 2025, convened their inaugural Joint Oversight Committee meeting in Washington, D.C., marking a crucial milestone in the implementation of the peace agreement signed between the two countries on June 27, 2025.
The high-level meeting brought together representatives from both governments, alongside observers from the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union facilitator), and the African Union Commission.
The US, in a press statement released in the wee hours of Friday, August 1, 2025, through the Bureau of African Affairs, said that the Joint Oversight Committee is tasked with overseeing the implementation of the peace accord, resolving disputes, and addressing any violations of the agreement in a cooperative and transparent manner.
“On July 31, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda (Rwanda), along with observers from the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union facilitator), and the African Union Commission held the first meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee for the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Rwanda that was signed in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025,” the statement read in part.
“The Joint Oversight Committee is charged with serving as a forum for implementation and dispute resolution of the peace agreement. The Committee is responsible for receiving complaints about violations of the agreement, taking appropriate measures to address violations, and amicably settling disputes.”
Committee chairpersons
During the session, the parties formally selected their chairpersons, adopted terms of reference for future engagements, reviewed early progress made in honouring the agreement, and set the stage for the first convening of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism—another critical component of the peace architecture.
The U.S., Qatar, and the African Union reaffirmed their commitment to supporting a stable and durable peace between the DRC and Rwanda. Their participation underscored the importance of international and regional collaboration in advancing peace, particularly in the historically volatile Great Lakes region.
Deep appreciation
Officials from both Rwanda and the DRC expressed deep appreciation for the facilitation and continued support provided by the international community. They also emphasised the importance of sustained dialogue and mutual accountability as key drivers of long-term stability.
“During the first meeting, the parties selected their chairpersons for the committee, adopted terms of reference to govern future meetings of the committee, discussed progress on implementing the agreement, and prepared for the first meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism,” the US stated.
“The African Union, State of Qatar, and the United States participated in these discussions to ensure complementarity and alignment between implementation efforts and on-going initiatives aimed at dialogue and durable peace in the region. Both the DRC and Rwanda expressed their appreciation for the invaluable contributions and joint efforts of the African Union, United States, and Qatar as partners in advancing a peaceful resolution.”
The peace deal comes after years of strained relations and intermittent conflict between the two nations, with regional tensions often spilling over into broader insecurity in eastern DRC.
The Joint Oversight Committee is expected to meet regularly to monitor compliance, support conflict resolution, and build confidence between the parties.