ISTANBUL

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda agreed on measures to de-escalate tensions and enhance regional stability during two days of talks in Washington, DC, according to a joint statement.

Representatives from both countries met on March 17-18 and agreed on “concrete steps” to advance the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, signed on Dec. 4, the joint statement from the US, Congo, and Rwanda said on Wednesday.

The measures include Rwanda’s planned “disengagement of forces” and lifting of “defensive measures” in eastern Congo, joint efforts to strengthen sovereignty, and a renewed push by Congo to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) armed group.

The M23 rebel group, which has been at the center of the conflict in eastern Congo, controls significant territory, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, which it seized earlier in 2025.

The Congolese government, the UN, and others accuse neighboring Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo, an allegation Kigali denies.

Washington sanctioned Rwanda’s military and four of its senior officers on March 2, accusing them of backing the M23.

In response, Kigali said it regretted the sanctions as “one-sided" and defended its military.