Washington, D.C. — Efforts to stabilize eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo entered a new phase this week as representatives from the DRC and Rwanda joined the United States, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union Commission for the fourth Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) meeting in Washington, D.C.
The two-day gathering, held on November 19–20, focused on pushing forward the Washington Peace Agreement—an accord endorsed on June 27, 2025, to de-escalate regional tensions and dismantle foreign armed groups destabilizing the region.
Advancing the Neutralization Plan for FDLR
Officials from both Rwanda and the DRC reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the Operations Order (OPORD) that underpins the joint Concept of Operations (CONOPS). This framework outlines a harmonized strategy to neutralize the FDLR, a militia long implicated in violence across the border region, and to begin the process of lifting Rwanda’s defensive security measures.
Participants reviewed progress made during Phase One of the OPORD, which included:
- Expanded intelligence-sharing between security services
- Public outreach campaigns launched by the DRC to encourage FDLR members to surrender
- Continued demobilization and repatriation efforts facilitated by regional partners
Despite momentum, delegates acknowledged ongoing challenges—from difficult terrain to persistent misinformation—and identified areas requiring stronger coordination as the plan moves closer to Phase Two. That next stage will include more robust steps to fully dismantle remaining FDLR units and gradually ease Rwanda’s defensive posture.
Doha Framework Praised as Complement to Washington Agreement
The JSCM also evaluated the evolving diplomatic landscape, highlighting the recent Doha Framework Agreement signed between the DRC government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23. Delegations commended Qatar’s mediation and agreed that maintaining synergy between the Washington and Doha processes is essential to avoiding parallel or conflicting peace tracks.
Regional Leadership and Upcoming High-Level Meeting
Both Rwanda and the DRC expressed appreciation to the United States, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union for sustaining the peace effort. Organizers also welcomed Togo’s plans to host the High-Level Meeting on the Coherence and Consolidation of the Peace Process on January 17, 2026—an event expected to bring additional momentum to regional stabilization initiatives.
Participants also acknowledged President Donald Trump’s active involvement in facilitating dialogue among the parties throughout the process.
Commitment to Long-Term Stability
As the Washington meetings concluded, all parties reaffirmed their determination to pursue a comprehensive and lasting peace in eastern DR Congo and the Great Lakes region. The joint mechanism is expected to meet again in early 2026 to review Phase Two activities and continue tracking implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement.
