On Friday, June 27, a historic peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC will be signed in Washington, under the mediation of the Trump administration.
The peace accord will be followed by intra-Congolese dialogue in Doha, between the Kinshasa regime, and the AFC/M23 movement. It will be a significant shift in approach, from cross-border accusations to domestic reconciliation. Well, given Tshisekedi regime behavior, one can never be sure of anything, at all.
Which raises the question: while the deal marks a diplomatic milestone, one pressing concern remains: Will Tshisekedi implement it?
Back in April, ministers from both countries signed a Declaration of Principles in Washington, a foundation for peaceful coexistence and mutual respect. However, since then, Kinshasa has continued its military terrorism, while maintaining its reckless political rhetoric that slanders Rwanda with wild accusations daily. That already raises doubts about Tshisekedi’s commitment to peace.
One key component of the agreement is the enforcement of the Luanda Peace Process, which obliges the DRC to disarm and repatriate the FDLR a militia group deeply embedded in the Congolese military apparatus. This will be a major challenge for the Tshisekedi regime, which has long been accused of harboring and leveraging the FDLR for internal political gain.
In implementing this peace deal, there will be no more hostilities and scapegoating on the side of Kinsahsa , there will be no more false narrative like “Rwanda is supporting M23”, “Rwanda has sent troops in DRC”, “M23 are RDF , Rwanda is looting Congolese Minerals” etc
By shifting the focus to internal Congolese dynamics, it effectively exposes the conflict as a Congolese affair, not a Rwandan one.
For Tshisekedi, this is a chance to pivot from confrontation to reconciliation but only if he chooses to engage sincerely.
If Tshisekedi fails to embrace this moment, his government will become increasingly isolated, and his narratives utterly discredited.
ellenkampire