Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has rejected an agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the FDLR armed group, saying it does not align with commitments made under the Washington peace agreement.
The agreement was announced on Tuesday, July 28, by DRC Minister of Regional Integration Floribert Anzuluni during a press briefing in Kinshasa, where he said the deal would facilitate the disarmament, demobilization and relocation of FDLR fighters.
Anzuluni said the agreement was part of the DRC’s efforts to implement commitments under the peace deal signed by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and US President Donald Trump on December 4, 2025, aimed at addressing insecurity in eastern DRC.
He said the FDLR had agreed to lay down its arms, dissolve its structures and determine the future of its members, including possible return to Rwanda or relocation to other countries.
However, Nduhungirehe dismissed the agreement, arguing that it contradicts the Washington commitments, which he said require the DRC to dismantle the FDLR rather than negotiate with the group.
“The signing of this so-called protocol between the Congolese government, the FDLR, and genocide ideology has nothing to do with the Washington Agreement, because nowhere does it provide for such arrangements,” Nduhungirehe said.
He described the deal as an attempt by Kinshasa to avoid its responsibility to eliminate what Rwanda considers a genocidal armed group.
“The FDLR is not a party to the Washington Agreement; it is one of the issues addressed by it. This is why this is a clear deception by Kinshasa and its allies aimed at avoiding the responsibility of dismantling the group,” he said.
Nduhungirehe recalled that, under the Washington agreement, the DRC committed to dismantling the FDLR within 90 days, but said that commitment had not been fulfilled.
He further accused Kinshasa of continuing to support the armed group, alleging that some FDLR elements had received military backing and had been integrated into the Congolese army, FARDC.
The minister also accused the DRC of allowing political activities linked to individuals associated with the former Rwandan government, naming Jean-Luc Habyarimana, Fabien Singaye, Thomas Nahimana and Thadée Kwitonda among those he said had been involved.
The exchange comes as regional efforts continue to address insecurity in eastern DRC, where armed groups remain a major obstacle to peace and stability.
