Addis Ababa, August 9, 2025 – A significant step towards peace in the Great Lakes region was taken this week as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda held the first-ever meeting of the Joint Coordination Mechanism on Security (MCCS). The two-day event, held on August 7 and 8, 2025, was facilitated by the State of Qatar and represents a direct follow-up to the Washington Peace Accord signed on June 27, 2025.
The historic meeting brought together senior representatives from Kinshasa and Kigali, alongside observers from the United States, Qatar, the African Union Commission (AUC), and Togo, the latter representing the African Union mediator.
Clear Mission for Peace
The MCCS has been tasked with implementing a joint plan to neutralize the FDLR and coordinate the withdrawal of forces or the lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, as outlined in the peace accord’s annex. It also aims to facilitate intelligence sharing and information exchange between the parties to ensure effective and transparent execution of the agreed commitments.
During this first meeting, the DRC and Rwanda – permanent members of the MCCS – adopted terms of reference that will guide future sessions and began discussions on concrete steps for implementing the agreement.
Regional and International Commitment
Alongside the two nations, representatives of the African Union mediator, the AUC, Qatar, and the United States took part in the discussions. Their presence is intended to guarantee fair, impartial, and efficient enforcement of the peace accord while encouraging good-faith initiatives to achieve lasting stability in the Great Lakes region.
Both the DRC and Rwanda expressed gratitude to their regional and international partners for their contributions and joint efforts toward a peaceful settlement. All parties agreed that the mechanism represents a genuine opportunity to open a new chapter in bilateral relations and lay the foundations for enduring peace.
✍ Author: Mangwa – Mecamedia Africa
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