DNK International By Xinhua.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame said his country is ready to lift its defensive measures if the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) fulfills its obligations under the Washington-brokered peace agreement aimed at restoring stability in the conflict-hit eastern region.
“Rwanda is ready to lift its defensive measures in tandem with the DRC, fulfilling its obligations under the Washington Accords,” said Kagame.
He made the remarks on Friday night in Kigali, Rwanda’s capital, days after the United States announced sanctions against the Rwanda Defence Force and four of its senior officers, accusing them of actively supporting the March 23 Movement (M23) in eastern DRC.
On December 4, 2025, Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi signed a peace agreement in Washington aimed at ending fighting in eastern Congo.
However, despite the agreement and commitments made in Doha to a permanent ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese government forces have continued recently.
Kagame said the conflict in eastern DRC is neither new nor too difficult to understand, noting that it has been prolonged for decades due to neglect and complacency, notably by those with the power to make the biggest difference in resolving it.
He said the Washington Accords clearly set a ceasefire, acknowledged each party’s security concerns, and laid out the roadmap for action, emphasizing that all.
[DNK-International@March 8,2026]
