Rwanda, DR Congo Fail to Fulfil Commitment 7 Months After Washington Accord
Humanitarian access remains restricted, with displaced populations and civilians caught in escalating violence, underscoring the urgent need for both governments to prioritise civilian protection and relief.
Seven months after the Washington peace accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, the implementation of its terms stands at 23.3 per cent. The accord was signed in June 2025 under the watch of the President Donald Trump administration.
In January 2026, the Barometer of Peace Agreements in Africa reported that, while diplomatic initiatives have advanced, essential security obligations remain unmet, making the core implementation of the peace deal unfulfilled. Released on Feb. 1, the BPAA report reveals that progress remains limited and unequal, and is losing its dynamism.
The report highlights several positive developments observed between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31, particularly in the institutional and diplomatic context. The African Union adopted a new mediation framework in Lome, and facilitators conducted tours in Kinshasa, Kigali, and Bujumbura. However, these efforts have not resulted in tangible progress.
The Doha process, designed to complement Washington’s framework, has stalled since November 2025, leaving six protocols unresolved and further complicating coordination between parallel peace efforts, according to the BPAA.
Another key observation of the report is that the AU’s new mediation structure, though innovative, suffers from unclear coordination and lacks a standard methodology, raising concerns about its ability to harmonise Washington and Doha processes effectively.
Angolan President João Lourenço engaged Congolese authorities, opposition, and civil society in consultations to revive dialogue. Meanwhile, the U.S. Congress held hearings on the state of the peace process, underscoring Washington’s sponsorship of the accord.
On the ground, however, the BPAA revealed that clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels continued across North and South Kivu, undermining ceasefire commitments despite the group’s withdrawal from Uvira in line with international demands.
The think tank further observed that monitoring structures have weakened, with the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism and Joint Oversight Committee failing to meet in December and January, leaving violations and delays unaddressed.
Humanitarian access remains restricted, with displaced populations and civilians caught in escalating violence, underscoring the urgent need for both governments to prioritise civilian protection and relief.
“The global execution rates remain unchanged at 23.3% without evolution as compared to the level recorded in November and December 2025, and the intensification of fighting continues, exacerbating the already precarious conditions of the civilian population,” the report stated.
Despite the expedited Washington process, the situation on the ground remains troubling, with tensions between the two countries persisting. As the accord enters its eighth month, the gap between diplomatic promises and realities on the ground raises pressing questions about whether regional and international actors can salvage momentum before the agreement slips into irrelevance.
Seven months post the Washington peace accord between the DRC and Rwanda, implementation remains at 23.3%.
Although diplomatic efforts have advanced, security measures lag behind, leaving the peace process unfulfilled. The January 2026 BPAA report indicates that progress is uneven and lacks momentum.
There have been institutional advancements, like a new AU mediation framework and diplomatic outreach, but no significant progress. The Doha process has also stalled, complicating coordination between peace efforts. The AU's new structure suffers from unclear coordination, impeding effective harmonization of peace efforts.
Efforts by Angola for dialogue revival and U.S. Congressional hearings emphasize the accord's importance. However, fighting persists between the Congolese army and M23 rebels, violating ceasefire commitments. Monitoring structures have weakened, and humanitarian access is restricted, worsening the civilian situation.
Despite these diplomatic efforts, the unresolved issues and intensified conflicts emphasize the need for urgent action to prevent the peace accord from losing relevance. The situation remains tense, with questions about the efficacy of regional and international intervention to reinvigorate the peace process.
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