Peace in Central Africa: Washington, Between Hope and Vigilance, the Renaissance of the DR Congo at Stake
Kinshasa, June 14, 2025
Dear compatriots,
We stand at a decisive turning point for the future of our country. The peace talks between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and the M23 rebel group, recently resumed in Washington under the facilitation of the United States and Qatar, carry within them the hope of long-awaited peace. These discussions, which aim to conclude an agreement by the end of June 2025, are not merely a diplomatic opportunity: they are a vital necessity to end decades of conflict that have torn apart our lands and our souls.
The conflict in eastern DRC is not a simple territorial dispute. It is the bitter fruit of a complex history, inherited from past scars. For years, the DRC has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23, an armed group that, according to damning reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and UN Expert Groups on the DRC, has executed civilians in Goma and beyond. Rwanda, for its part, claims to be threatened by Hutu militias, such as the FDLR, operating from our soil. This spiral of mistrust has come at a steep cost: over 7,000 dead, a million displaced, and a resource-rich region plundered to the detriment of its people.
Yet, amidst this tragedy, a glimmer of hope shines through. In Doha, in April 2025, a ceasefire was signed between the DRC and M23—a fragile but significant first step. Today, June 14, 2025, in Washington, technical delegations are working on a broader agreement: the withdrawal of 5,000 Rwandan soldiers from our territory, the lifting of the state of emergency in place since 2021, and the establishment of a joint mechanism to neutralize armed groups. If realized, these advances could be transformative.
Let us not deceive ourselves: the path to peace is fraught with obstacles. Rwanda, despite its participation in the talks, hesitates to fully commit, casting doubt on its true intentions. Accusations of illegal exploitation of our minerals—coltan, gold, lithium—by Kigali, backed by United Nations investigations, fuel persistent mistrust. How can we envision genuine cooperation when our sovereignty is being violated? The DRC has made its stance clear: no economic partnership will be possible without the complete withdrawal of Rwandan troops and absolute respect for our territorial integrity.
At the heart of these negotiations lie significant economic stakes. The United States sees this agreement as an opportunity to attract Western investments, particularly to process our minerals in Rwanda and counter Chinese influence. Such a prospect could inject billions of dollars into our Central African region. We must ensure that these riches first benefit our people.
The facilitators of these talks, particularly the United States, bear a heavy responsibility. Their credibility hinges on their ability to ensure a fair process, where the needs of local populations take precedence over economic greed. International pressure is crucial, but it must be applied wisely. Demanding the withdrawal of Rwandan troops before any agreement is signed, as both Washington and Kinshasa insist, sends a powerful message.
As a son of this land, I dream of a peaceful eastern DRC, where our children grow up far from the sounds of war, where our displaced people return to their homes, and where our resources fund schools and hospitals rather than weapons. These talks in Washington could mark the first chapter of that future. But this hope must not make us naive. We must remain vigilant against the risks of compromise and those who might prioritize their interests over ours.
Dear compatriots, peace is a struggle. It demands a collective effort from all of us—citizens, leaders, neighbors—to overcome grievances and build a shared destiny. I call on you to support these talks and to raise your voices for a just and lasting peace. To our international partners, I say: live up to your commitments.
Together, let us write a new page for our region—one where cooperation triumphs over division, where prosperity springs from justice, and where peace becomes our shared heritage.
May Washington be the beginning of this renaissance for the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eugène DIOMI NDONGALA,
P.N. Démocratie Chrétienne, DC
Démocratie Chrétienne, D.C. 