The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a "declaration of principles" on Friday for an agreement aimed at promoting peace and economic development in the Great Lakes region, while putting an end to the conflict ravaging eastern DRC.

The declaration was signed in Washington by Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and her Rwandan counterpart Olivier Nduhungireye in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The two countries committed to respect each other's sovereignty and established borders. Kinshasa and Kigali also promise to support regional economic integration, including by strengthening transparency in critical mineral supply chains. The goal is to enable both nations to benefit from the region's abundant natural resources through mutually beneficial economic partnerships and investments, according to the document published by the U.S. Department of State. In addition, the two neighboring countries commit to facilitating the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.

Enthusiastic reactions

"This moment is of particular importance for the Democratic Republic of Congo. In Goma, Bukavu, and beyond, the reality of displacement, insecurity, and hardship persist. For us, the urgency of this initiative is not theoretical; it is human. We sign this declaration of principles not as a symbolic gesture but as a political commitment. A reaffirmation of the principles enshrined in international law and most recently reiterated in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773, a resolution calling for the immediate, unconditional, and verifiable withdrawal of all foreign troops from the sovereign territory of the DRC," said Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba.

For his part, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the signing of this agreement as an important step for regional stability:

"A lasting peace in the Great Lakes region will pave the way for greater American and Western investment, which will create economic opportunities and prosperity. This economic development, combined with lasting peace, will also allow millions of displaced people to return home to safer communities with new economic opportunities," the top US diplomat said.

Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs Olivier Nduhungireye also welcomed the importance of the signing of the document for peace and prosperity in the region:

"The Declaration of Principles paves the way for a final peace agreement, giving new impetus to the efforts of the African-led process within the framework of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, as well as the Doha track, facilitated by the State of Qatar, where we have seen significant breakthroughs in recent days," he said.

A region troubled by the activism of armed groups

Eastern DRC has been the scene of ongoing fighting between the Congolese army and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group. This armed group controls several towns in the provinces of North and South Kivu, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu. In addition to the M23, approximately 100 other armed groups have operated in the region in some capacity for three decades. These militias terrorize residents and cause significant population displacement in this resource-rich region.

The signing of this "declaration of principles" comes as an agreement between the DRC and the United States on strategic minerals is currently being negotiated. This agreement aims to give American companies privileged access to the DRC's critical mineral resources, such as cobalt, coltan, and lithium, in exchange for security assistance in the fight against armed groups.