The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have signed a peace agreement in Washington, DC, marking the most substantive diplomatic breakthrough in the region in years. The accord, initialled by the two nations’ foreign ministers on 27 June and announced publicly on 28 June, commits both sides to an immediate cessation of hostilities, respect for territorial integrity, and the disarmament and conditional integration of non-state armed groups. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the pact as “a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability” in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region. Bintou Keita, head of the UN peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, called it “a major advance toward ending the conflict that has devastated eastern Congo for nearly three decades.” The deal aligns with UN Security Council resolution 2773, adopted unanimously in February, which urged Kinshasa and Kigali to return to dialogue after the M23 offensive in North and South Kivu. The United States led the mediation, working with Qatar and African Union mediator President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, along with facilitators from the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community. The agreement establishes a joint security coordination mechanism, facilitates the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, guarantees humanitarian access, and outlines a framework for regional economic integration. Implementing the accord will test both governments’ ability to control armed factions and to maintain the fragile calm that has followed the talks. The UN said MONUSCO and regional partners remain ready to support verification and follow-up measures aimed at turning the initial truce into a lasting settlement.