Washington, D.C. — A senior U.S. State Department official has warned that eliminating the terrorist group known as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) is indispensable to achieving lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, urging Kinshasa to honor commitments made under the recently signed Washington Accords.
Speaking before the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa on Thursday, Sarah Troutman, the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, emphasized that the disarmament of the FDLR is a core obligation of the agreement brokered by the United States between Rwanda and DR Congo.
Her testimony came during a congressional hearing titled “Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda through President Trump’s Washington Accords,” which reviewed progress and challenges following the December 4 signing of the landmark peace deal by the two presidents.
FDLR Described as a Persistent Regional Threat
Troutman told lawmakers that the FDLR—an armed group formed by remnants of those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda—remains a direct danger to regional security. She noted that the militia has operated from Congolese territory for nearly 30 years, launching cross-border attacks into Rwanda while benefiting from protection and logistical support from elements within the Congolese state.
“The FDLR poses a real and ongoing threat,” Troutman stated. “It cannot be permitted to continue operating in eastern Congo. The Congolese government has formally agreed to neutralize this group, and that commitment must now be translated into concrete action.”
Pressure on Kinshasa to Deliver on Washington Promises
According to U.S. officials, dismantling the FDLR is one of the central pillars of the Washington Accords, which were negotiated over more than five months under U.S. mediation. The agreements are designed not only to end decades of violence in eastern DR Congo but also to address its underlying causes, including armed group proliferation, regional mistrust, and the legacy of genocide ideology.
Troutman stressed that Washington is closely monitoring compliance with the accords, warning that progress will be measured by visible steps taken on the ground.
“We are making it clear to Kinshasa that neutralizing the FDLR is not optional,” she said. “It is fundamental to the success of the peace process.”
Rwanda’s Longstanding Call for Disarmament
Rwanda has consistently demanded the disbanding of the FDLR, which Kigali considers a genocidal organization still committed to the ideology that fueled the 1994 atrocities. In recent years, the group has been accused of operating alongside the Congolese army in its fight against the AFC/M23 movement—fighters who say they are resisting ethnic persecution and genocide ideology within DR Congo.
For Rwanda, the presence of the FDLR across its border has long represented an existential security concern, one that has complicated diplomatic relations and fueled repeated cycles of conflict in the Great Lakes region.
US Lawmakers Question Who Benefits from Inaction
During the hearing, Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Chris Smith raised concerns about the prolonged failure to dismantle the militia, asking who stands to gain from maintaining the current situation.
“Both governments acknowledge the FDLR is a problem,” Smith said. “The question is: who profits from leaving things as they are?”
The remark highlighted growing frustration in Washington over the slow pace of disarmament efforts and the continued instability that has displaced millions in eastern Congo.
Peace, Investment, and Accountability Linked
U.S. officials have framed the Washington Accords as a pathway not only to peace but also to economic transformation. The agreements are intended to unlock U.S. investment in both Rwanda and DR Congo by improving security, governance, and cross-border cooperation.
Troutman told lawmakers that transparency and accountability would be enforced at every stage of implementation.
“We are committed to ensuring that the commitments made in Washington are honored,” she said. “The peace process must deliver real improvements for the people of the region, and those who undermine stability will be held accountable.”
As pressure mounts on Kinshasa to act decisively against the FDLR, Washington is signaling that the credibility of the peace accords—and future international investment—depends on visible progress in dismantling one of the region’s most notorious armed groups.
