The United States hosted representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda on Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington to discuss the stalled peace process in eastern DRC, according to diplomatic sources and international news reports.

The talks, organized under the auspices of the U.S. government, aimed to identify concrete measures to de-escalate tensions and find practical solutions to the ongoing security crisis in the Great Lakes region, which is affected by armed groups and cross-border conflicts.

A joint statement from the delegations indicated that the DRC and Rwanda agreed to explore measures to reduce tensions, including the disengagement of certain Rwandan forces from sensitive areas in the DRC and increased cooperation by Kinshasa against armed groups, notably the M23 movement.

These discussions follow the Washington Peace and Prosperity Agreements signed in June and December 2025 under U.S. mediation, which included provisions for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces and a framework for regional cooperation. Implementation of these commitments has been partial, and several provisions remain pending, particularly regarding the cessation of hostilities and disarmament of militias.

The United States, acting as a mediator, stated its intention to encourage both parties to honor their commitments and work together to stabilize the region. This week’s meetings come as the security situation in eastern DRC remains fragile and violence continues.

Analysts in diplomacy and African security note that the success of these talks will depend on the political will of the parties and the ability of regional actors to follow through on the agreements.