Joint Statement on the Fourth Joint Oversight Committee for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda and the Initialing of the Regional Economic Integration Framework

Country/entity
Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Region
Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name
Joint Statement on the Fourth Joint Oversight Committee for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda and the Initialing of the Regional Economic Integration Framework
Date
7 Nov 2025
Agreement status
Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement
Yes
Agreement/conflict level
Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Stage
Implementation/renegotiation
Conflict nature
Government/territory
Peace process
DRC: the Doha Track for Eastern DRC
Parties
Representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Representatives from the Republic of Rwanda
Third parties
United States of America
State of Qatar
Republic of Togo (serving as African Union mediator)
African Union Commission

Named officials:

Under Secretary Hooker
Senior Advisor Boulos
Description
This joint statement reports on the fourth Joint Oversight Committee meeting held November 7, 2025, reviewing implementation of the June 27, 2025 Peace Agreement between the DRC and Rwanda signed in Washington, D.C. Representatives initialed the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), which establishes economic cooperation mechanisms contingent upon satisfactory security implementation through the Concept of Operations and Operational Order. The Committee addressed progress on neutralizing the FDLR armed group, military disengagement by Rwanda, preparations for military operations, and acknowledged the parallel Doha negotiations between DRC and M23 regarding prisoner exchanges and ceasefire monitoring.

Agreement document
CD_RW_250627_Joint Statement on REIF (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Source of document

https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/11/joint-statement-on-the-fourth-joint-oversight-committee-for-the-peace-agreement


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→General commitments
The Parties reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from hostile actions or rhetoric, particularly political attacks or language that would undermine or complicate the full implementation of the Peace Agreement, including in international fora.
Police

No specific mention.

Armed forces
The Parties agreed on specific near-term actions in line with their respective obligations for neutralizing the FDLR armed group and its associated groups and advancing disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, reviewed preparations for military operations in a named area of interest, adopted an implementing agreement, and acknowledged the efforts of both of the Parties to translate their obligations into tangible actions on the ground.
DDR

No specific mention.

Intelligence services

No specific mention.

Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces
The Parties agreed on specific near-term actions in line with their respective obligations for neutralizing the FDLR armed group and its associated groups and advancing disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, reviewed preparations for military operations in a named area of interest, adopted an implementing agreement, and acknowledged the efforts of both of the Parties to translate their obligations into tangible actions on the ground.
Withdrawal of foreign forces
The Parties agreed on specific near-term actions in line with their respective obligations for neutralizing the FDLR armed group and its associated groups and advancing disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, reviewed preparations for military operations in a named area of interest, adopted an implementing agreement, and acknowledged the efforts of both of the Parties to translate their obligations into tangible actions on the ground.
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
The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission on the occasion of the fourth Joint Oversight Committee held this week in Washington, D.C.
Referendum for agreement

No specific mention.

International mission/force/similar

No specific mention.

Enforcement mechanism
The Parties agreed on specific near-term actions in line with their respective obligations for neutralizing the FDLR armed group and its associated groups and advancing disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, reviewed preparations for military operations in a named area of interest, adopted an implementing agreement, and acknowledged the efforts of both of the Parties to translate their obligations into tangible actions on the ground.

Source agreement

Joint Statement on the Fourth Joint Oversight Committee for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda and the Initialing of the Regional Economic Integration Framework

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission on the occasion of the fourth Joint Oversight Committee held this week in Washington, D.C.

Begin text:

On November 7, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda, along with the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission convened to assess implementation of the Peace Agreement, signed on June 27, 2025, in Washington, D.C., during the fourth meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee (Committee).

In a significant step forward, representatives from the DRC and Rwanda initialed the full text of the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) today, overseen by Under Secretary Hooker and Senior Advisor Boulos.

The REIF outlines key areas for fostering economic cooperation and development between the two nations, demonstrating the tangible benefits of peace and creating opportunities for investment and growth that directly benefit people in the region.

Its implementation remains contingent upon the satisfactory execution of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Operational Order (OPORD) under the Peace Agreement, underscoring the critical link between peace, stability, and economic progress.

The Committee recognized lagging progress and committed to redouble efforts to implement the Washington Peace Agreement.

The Parties agreed on specific near-term actions in line with their respective obligations for neutralizing the FDLR armed group and its associated groups and advancing disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, reviewed preparations for military operations in a named area of interest, adopted an implementing agreement, and acknowledged the efforts of both of the Parties to translate their obligations into tangible actions on the ground.

The Parties reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from hostile actions or rhetoric, particularly political attacks or language that would undermine or complicate the full implementation of the Peace Agreement, including in international fora.

The State of Qatar provided an update on the ongoing negotiations in Doha between the DRC and AFC/M23, highlighting progress on key issues, including prisoner exchanges.

The Committee welcomed the first convening of the Doha ceasefire monitoring mechanism on November 5.

The Committee expressed strong support for these efforts and emphasized the critical role of the Doha process in advancing the broader implementation of the Peace Agreement.

The Parties expressed a shared commitment to maintaining momentum in the peace process and continuing to build on the progress achieved.

The Governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed their gratitude to the United States, Qatar, the African Union, and Togo for their steadfast support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region.

End text.