On Friday April 25, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a “declaration of principles” for an agreement to promote peace and economic development in the Great Lakes region, while putting an end to the conflict ravaging eastern DRC.

Signed by Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and her Rwandan counterpart Olivier Nduhungirehe, in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the declaration joins other peace mechanisms.

The two countries have committed themselves to a number of principles, including recognition of each other’s territorial integrity and borders – a victory for Kinshasa, which accuses Rwanda of trying to balkanize the DRC. “The Participants mutually acknowledge each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and commit to a pathway to resolve their disputes by peaceful means grounded in diplomacy and negotiation rather than hostile force or rhetoric” can we read in the declaration.

Added to this is the need to limit the proliferation of non-state armed groups and the voluntary return of refugees and thousands of internally displaced persons, while also recognizing the role of Monusco.

“The Declaration of Principles that the Foreign Ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed today in our nation’s capital paves the way for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region. The Declaration will help protect our strategic interest in critical minerals to grow our tech sector and bring sorely needed peace and stability to the region” said Marco Rubio.

Kinshasa and Kigali agree to “create a preliminary draft peace agreement” by May 2.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma