Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, has attributed delays in the implementation of the Washington peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to what he described as a lack of political will from Kinshasa.
Speaking in an interview with France 24, Nduhungirehe said the agreement, signed in Washington on June 27, 2025, has not delivered expected results because the DRC has failed to implement key commitments, particularly those related to the dismantling of the FDLR armed group.
He said the core provisions of the deal required joint action on security arrangements, including the neutralization of FDLR elements and the gradual easing of defensive measures, under a phased implementation framework that has not been respected.
Nduhungirehe maintained that Rwanda has adhered to its obligations under the agreement, while questioning progress made on the Congolese side regarding armed group dismantlement.
He also cited statements by international mediators and U.S. officials, which he said confirmed Rwanda’s compliance while highlighting insufficient progress by the DRC.
The minister further criticized U.S. sanctions imposed on Rwandan officials, describing them as one-sided and counterproductive to ongoing mediation efforts.
He warned that such measures risk undermining dialogue and escalating tensions in the Great Lakes region, particularly amid continued insecurity in eastern DRC.
Nduhungirehe called for balanced implementation of the agreement by all parties, saying sustainable peace can only be achieved if both sides fully meet their commitments.
