Description: Government representatives from the DRC and Rwanda have issued a joint statement claiming their commitment towards pushing forward the peace initiative instigated by the US and Qatar in the upcoming period. After meetings earlier this month, sticking points for establishing a joint peace monitoring and implementation mechanism prevailed over the negotiations. Rwanda’s connection to armed groups and militants within the DRC such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the M23 rebel alliance group were the biggest challenges for establishing the groundwork for the peace agreement signed earlier this year in Jun. Rwanda stated that the DRC should unilaterally address the issue with the armed groups and reiterated its position that the country does not exercise control over the M23 rebels. Another round of negotiations is expected to take place next week, where both countries will discuss implementing security and peacekeeping measures to ensure the implementation of the provisions outlined in the economic cooperation agreement signed by both countries with the US.
Impact: The latest round of negotiations between Rwanda and the DRC delivered more inconsistencies than solutions as both countries are reluctant to adopt a joint stance regarding the peace mechanisms which would ensure economic investments and cessation of the armed hostilities. The war in the DRC spread over three decades would remain active in the short to mid – term period of time as Rwanda has continuously denied its involvement in supporting the influential armed groups operating in the resource – rich eastern parts of the DRC. The situation on the ground also compromises the peace initiative with the M23 rebels continued ground offensives in the cities of Goma and Bukavu. In the absence of constructive political will and peacekeeping troops on the ground, the conflict would persist. The country is also struggling with a growing cholera outbreak caused by the humanitarian and refugee crisis in the country and an upsurge in terrorist activities from the regional Islamic State affiliates, the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which further exacerbates the situation and incites the prolongation of the armed conflict.