Second Ministerial Meeting on the Security and Peace Situation in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Export agreement:

Export agreement coding (PDF)

Country/entity: Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Second Ministerial Meeting on the Security and Peace Situation in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Date: 30 Jul 2024
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Congo Civil Wars (1996 - )
The overthrow of the long-term dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by a rebel Tutsi army backed by Uganda and Rwanda in 1997 acted as a catalyst for a war with regional dimensions, mainly fought in the eastern Kivu provinces. The conflict escalated in 1998, when President Laurent Kabila, then backed by Zimbabwean and Angolan troops, ordered Rwanda and Uganda to leave. After Kabila’s assassination in 2001, his son Joseph took over the presidency and won in the 2006 democratic elections.

In the eastern provinces, Tutsi-led militias, mainly organised in the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), fought the remnants of the Rwandan Hutu force FDLR, with further involvement of Rwandan and Ugandan troops. Other regionally operating militia groups, like the Lord’s Resistance Army from Northern Uganda, the so-called Mai Mai groups or short-lived guerrilla outfits like the March 23 Movement (M23) further contributed, and still contribute, to the complexity of the situation in eastern DRC.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: DRC: Angola-led process for Eastern DRC
Parties: For the Democratic Republic of the Congo, S.E. Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, of International and Francophone Cooperation;

For the Republic of Rwanda, S.E Ambassador Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and of International Cooperation.
Third parties: For the Republic of Angola, S.E Ambassador Tete Antonio, Minister of External Relations.
Description: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda agreed to a ceasefire in eastern DRC beginning on 4 August 2024. The agreement also addressed the implementation of a plan to neutralise the rebel group FDLR.

Agreement document: CD_240730_Second Ministerial Meeting on the Security and Peace Situation East of the DRC_EN (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Agreement document (original language): CD_240730_Second Ministerial Meeting on the Security and Peace Situation in the East of the Democratic Republic of Congo (opens in new tab)| Download PDF

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: No specific mention.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: No specific mention.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: Security sector→Ceasefire→Ceasefire provision
1. The Second Session of the Ministerial Reunion between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, on the ongoing situation regarding peace and security in the East of the DRC was held on 30 July 2024, in Luanda, the Republic of Angola, at the Ministry of External Relations;
2. The Delegations of the two countries were led by H.E. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the DRC, and H.E. Olivier Jean Patrick Ndhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda;
3. The Heads of the Congolese and Rwandan delegations were received in audience by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Laurenço, President of the Republic of Angola, in his capacity as Mediator designated by the African Union, and Champion of Peace and Reconciliation of the African Union.
At this occasion, the Parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Processes of Luanda and Nairobi, having acknowledged that the latter remain the basis and standard to reach a negotiated solution to peace, stability and security in the East of the DRC and in the Region of the Great Lakes;
4. In the course of the Ministerial Reunion, the Parties reiterated the conclusions of the Ministerial Reunion in Luanda on 21 March 2024, and took note of the following:
a) On 26 April 2024, the Government of the DRC submitted to the Mediation its Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;
b) In its turn, on 6 May 2024, the Government of Rwanda submitted to the Mediation its analysis and observations on the Plan;
5. The Ministers acknowledged that the situation in the theatre of operations has deteriorated, resulting in, inter alia, an aggravation of the humanitarian situation.
6. In witness thereof, the Ministers decided the following:
a) Ceasefire
They agreed on a ceasefire between the parties of the conflict in the East of the DRC that shall be effective from Sunday, 4 August 2024, at midnight, local hour, and supervised by the Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism with the support of intelligence experts of the three countries and other entities, where applicable.
b) The Implementation of the Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;
and
c) The preparation of a Plan for the Withdrawal of the Forces.
7. The Ministers took note of the Mediator’s proposition ensuing from the Plan for the neutralisation of the FDLR, proposed by the DRC, and the observations of Rwanda.
They thus instructed the intelligence experts of the three countries and other entities, where applicable, to come together on 7 August 2024, in Luanda, Angola, in order to:
a) Examine the Mediator’s proposition on the Harmonised Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;
b) Prepare a Plan for the withdrawal of the forces on the ground.
8. The experts shall submit their report by 15 August 2024 to the next Ministerial Reunion, due to take place in August.
9. The Ministers reiterated the importance to maintain a climate of appeasement, avoiding hate speeches and verbal attacks.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: 6. In witness thereof, the Ministers decided the following:
...
c) The preparation of a Plan for the Withdrawal of the Forces.
...
b) Prepare a Plan for the withdrawal of the forces on the ground.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: a) On 26 April 2024, the Government of the DRC submitted to the Mediation its Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;
...
6. In witness thereof, the Ministers decided the following:
...
b) The Implementation of the Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;
...
7. The Ministers took note of the Mediator’s proposition ensuing from the Plan for the neutralisation of the FDLR, proposed by the DRC, and the observations of Rwanda.
...
a) Examine the Mediator’s proposition on the Harmonised Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Done in Luanda, 30 July 2024
...
H.E. Ambassador Téte António
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.
Related cases: No specific mention.
Source: No specific mention.

Second Ministerial Reunion 30 July 2024

Version of 30/07/2024

21h20

Second Ministerial Reunion on the

Situation concerning the Security and Peace in the East of the

Democratic Republic of Congo

Luanda, Republic of Angola

30 July 2024

Report

1. The Second Session of the Ministerial Reunion between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, on the ongoing situation regarding peace and security in the East of the DRC was held on 30 July 2024, in Luanda, the Republic of Angola, at the Ministry of External Relations;

2. The Delegations of the two countries were led by H.E. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the DRC, and H.E. Olivier Jean Patrick Ndhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda;

3. The Heads of the Congolese and Rwandan delegations were received in audience by His Excellency João Manuel Gonçalves Laurenço, President of the Republic of Angola, in his capacity as Mediator designated by the African Union, and Champion of Peace and Reconciliation of the African Union.

At this occasion, the Parties reaffirmed their commitment to the Processes of Luanda and Nairobi, having acknowledged that the latter remain the basis and standard to reach a negotiated solution to peace, stability and security in the East of the DRC and in the Region of the Great Lakes;

4. In the course of the Ministerial Reunion, the Parties reiterated the conclusions of the Ministerial Reunion in Luanda on 21 March 2024, and took note of the following:

a) On 26 April 2024, the Government of the DRC submitted to the Mediation its Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;

b) In its turn, on 6 May 2024, the Government of Rwanda submitted to the Mediation its analysis and observations on the Plan;

5. The Ministers acknowledged that the situation in the theatre of operations has deteriorated, resulting in, inter alia, an aggravation of the humanitarian situation.

6. In witness thereof, the Ministers decided the following:

a) Ceasefire

They agreed on a ceasefire between the parties of the conflict in the East of the DRC that shall be effective from Sunday, 4 August 2024, at midnight, local hour, and supervised by the Ad Hoc Verification Mechanism with the support of intelligence experts of the three countries and other entities, where applicable.

b) The Implementation of the Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;

and

c) The preparation of a Plan for the Withdrawal of the Forces.

7. The Ministers took note of the Mediator’s proposition ensuing from the Plan for the neutralisation of the FDLR, proposed by the DRC, and the observations of Rwanda.

They thus instructed the intelligence experts of the three countries and other entities, where applicable, to come together on 7 August 2024, in Luanda, Angola, in order to:

a) Examine the Mediator’s proposition on the Harmonised Plan for the Neutralisation of the FDLR;

b) Prepare a Plan for the withdrawal of the forces on the ground.

8. The experts shall submit their report by 15 August 2024 to the next Ministerial Reunion, due to take place in August.

9. The Ministers reiterated the importance to maintain a climate of appeasement, avoiding hate speeches and verbal attacks.

Done in Luanda, 30 July 2024

For the Democratic Republic of Congo

H.E. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner Minister of State, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the DRC For the Republic of Angola

H.E. Ambassador Téte António

Minister of External Relations For the Republic of Rwanda

H.E. Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Rwanda