Joint Statement on the Fifth Meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Rwanda, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission on the occasion of the fifth Joint Security Coordination Mechanism meeting held this week in Geneva, Switzerland.

Begin text:

On July 15-16, 2026, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda (the Parties), along with the United States, Qatar, Togo (as the African Union mediator) and the African Union Commission convened the fifth meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) at the U.S. Mission in Geneva, Switzerland. 

Over the course of the meeting, the parties assessed the security environment in eastern DRC and worked toward a shared understanding of conditions on the ground. The DRC and Rwanda reaffirmed their commitment to rapidly implement the Washington Accords, including accelerating efforts on the neutralization of the FDLR and disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures.

To reinforce transparency and accountability in this process, the parties agreed to explore possible verification mechanisms to facilitate implementation of the Washington Accords.

The participants received a briefing from the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration, discussed how its work contributes to the objectives of the Washington Accords through FDLR repatriation, and identified next steps to strengthen coordination going forward.

The DRC and Rwanda committed to regular information sharing to maintain an accurate picture of developments on the ground in eastern DRC, and thanked the United States, Qatar, the African Union, and Togo for their support throughout this peace process. The Washington Accords represent an historic opportunity to unlock security and prosperity for people in the Great Lakes region. The parties reaffirmed their resolve to see this process through and agreed to reconvene in the coming weeks to review progress.

End text.