The United States yet again hosted representatives from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, Qatar, and the African Union for the third Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) meeting, advancing implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement.
The two neighboring nations renewed their commitment to peace and cooperation following two days of high-level discussions held from October 21 to 22, 2025, in Washington.
The meeting was convened under U.S. facilitation and attended by senior officials from both countries, alongside international partners, in a collective effort to dismantle the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), a Rwandan genocidal militia operating from eastern Congo.
Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on African and Middle Eastern Affairs, said deliberations focused on “developing joint operations to eliminate the FDLR terrorist group and easing Rwandan defensive measures to promote regional security and economic growth.”
The JSCM, created under the Washington Accords signed on June 27, serves as the operational framework for coordinating peace and security initiatives between Rwanda and the DRC.
The third session reviewed progress under Phase One of the implementation plan, which prioritizes threat analysis, intelligence sharing, and operational readiness as key steps toward neutralizing the FDLR and rebuilding regional trust.
A joint communiqué issued after the meeting confirmed that the parties had agreed on specific actions to prepare the ground for joint operations and the progressive removal of Rwanda’s defensive measures.
Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and the Operations Order (OPORD), technical blueprints that outline the coordinated approach to disarm the FDLR and secure lasting peace.
Despite the diplomatic momentum, challenges persist on the ground. Reports indicate that elements of the FDLR continue to collaborate with the Congolese army (FARDC), even releasing videos threatening to “liberate Goma” and invade Rwanda.
In response, the Congolese military recently urged the FDLR to surrender peacefully or face military action.
The peace initiative also underscores broader regional goals, including economic integration, stability, and improved livelihoods, once the security threat posed by the FDLR is neutralized.
The next JSCM meeting is scheduled for November 19–20, 2025, where stakeholders will evaluate progress and address remaining obstacles. All parties reaffirmed their shared objective of advancing durable peace, regional stability, and prosperity across eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.
