Congolese and Rwandan officials met in the United States and agreed on coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions in eastern Congo, where government troops are fighting rebels backed by neighboring Rwanda, according to a joint statement.
The statement issued by the Congolese, Rwandan, and U.S. governments said that Congolese and Rwandan officials met on Tuesday and Wednesday to advance progress in eastern Congo as peace efforts led by the U.S. and partners including Qatar have stalled and violence continued.
The mineral-rich eastern Congo has been battered by decades of unrest as government forces fight more than 100 armed groups, the most potent of which is the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group. The M23 made an unprecedented advance into the region early last year, seizing key cities as they quickly expanded their presence.
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Congo and Rwanda Agree on Steps to De-Escalate Tensions in Eastern Congo
03/19/2026
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