Officials from the DRC and Rwanda are returning to Geneva to address stalled security commitments under the 2025 Washington Accords.
Representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda are set to convene in Geneva for a critical two-day session of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM). Scheduled for September 16 and 17, the meeting aims to address the implementation status of the 2025 Washington Accords. This high-stakes gathering includes mediators from the United States, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union Commission, all of whom are tasked with overseeing the security commitments established between the two nations.
The Geneva talks arrive at a time when the situation in eastern DRC remains volatile. Despite the formal signing of the Washington Accords in June 2025 and subsequent reaffirmations in December, the core security objectives—specifically the neutralization of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the withdrawal of Rwandan defensive measures—remain largely unfulfilled. The international community views these discussions as a litmus test for the viability of the broader peace process.
The conflict in the eastern DRC has been characterized armed groups operating from Congolese territory, which it views as a direct threat to its national security. Conversely, the government in Kinshasa has accused Kigali of providing support to insurgent forces, including the M23 movement, to exert influence and control over territory in the Kivu provinces. These reciprocal allegations have historically hampered efforts to reach a sustainable ceasefire.
A primary hurdle in the current negotiations involves the specific definitions of compliance. The Washington Accords mandate that the DRC take definitive steps to neutralize the FDLR, a group with historical roots in the militias responsible for the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. While Kinshasa has recently attempted to present a Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) plan to address the FDLR, Rwanda remains skeptical. Kigali argues that the agreement demands total neutralization rather than negotiation or integration, leading to a persistent impasse that continues to fuel regional instability.
Although the M23 armed group is not a direct signatory to the Washington Accords, its influence on the peace process cannot be understated. Following a resurgence in 2022, M23 achieved significant territorial gains throughout 2025, including the capture of key provincial capitals such as Goma and Bukavu. The ongoing hostilities in North and South Kivu underscore the limitations of the current diplomatic framework, as the violence continues to displace populations and destabilize the region.
To address this, the US-supported peace process incorporates a separate, Qatar-led dialogue between Kinshasa and M23, which resulted in the Doha Framework for Peace. This multi-layered approach is designed to complement the JSCM meetings ving M23. However, the lack of a comprehensive cessation of hostilities remains a significant barrier to achieving the vision of regional economic integration and lasting stability.
Following the previous JSCM meeting in August, both parties demonstrated a willingness to explore new verification mechanisms. The DRC and Rwanda have proposed initiatives to improve on-the-ground monitoring of their commitments, with the United States currently evaluating these proposals. Furthermore, a trilateral planning conference is scheduled for October to develop a revised operations order, which is intended to coordinate future security efforts more effectively.
As the delegations meet in Geneva, the focus will remain on whether these logistical and administrative agreements can translate into tangible security improvements on the ground. The success of the Washington Accords hinges on the ability of both nations to move beyond rhetoric and fulfill their respective obligations. Without a concrete breakthrough on the FDLR issue and a corresponding de-escalation ght with challenges.
