Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of violating the peace agreement signed just four days ago in Washington, D.C., under U.S. auspices.
Delivering his State of the Nation address before both chambers of Parliament convened in Congress, Tshisekedi said the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) launched heavy artillery attacks on several towns and villages in South Kivu immediately after the signing of the accord.
“The Rwandan Defence Forces have conducted heavy weapons attacks from the Rwandan town of Bugarama, causing heavy material and human damage,” Tshisekedi charged.
According to the President, the shelling struck Kaziba, Katokota, and Lubarika, areas already strained by years of instability.
Key Commitments of the Washington Accords
Tshisekedi reminded legislators that the deal signed on December 4 included several core obligations:
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Immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from eastern DRC
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Dismantling of all foreign armed groups, including the FDLR
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Establishment of a joint security monitoring mechanism
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Creation of a regional economic integration framework
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A full cessation of hostilities
Despite what he described as a deliberate violation, Tshisekedi reaffirmed Kinshasa’s adherence to the peace pact.
“We remain vigilant, without being pacifist; clear-sighted, but resolutely optimistic,” he said, adding that the DRC would uphold diplomacy while defending its sovereignty.
Minerals at the Heart of the Conflict
The President devoted a significant section of his speech to the role of strategic minerals in the prolonged instability in the East. He argued that the conflict cannot be reduced to community tensions or internal rebellion.
“This is a war of aggression by proxy aimed at challenging our sovereignty over a highly strategic area, rich in critical minerals,” Tshisekedi said.
He described the region’s resources as “crucial for the future of our nation.”
Tshisekedi has long argued that competition over access to cobalt, coltan, gold, and other resources fuels external interference and armed group activity.
The State of the Nation address, delivered at the People’s Palace, came at a critical moment for the Great Lakes region. The Washington Agreement, hailed internationally as a potential turning point, was intended to halt cross-border hostilities and create a structured roadmap for long-term security cooperation between Kinshasa and Kigali.
Tshisekedi maintained that the DRC remains committed to the accord’s implementation but warned that Kinshasa will not compromise on territorial integrity or civilian protection.
“I remain convinced that this diplomatic turning point, though demanding, paves the way for a solution where peace is within reach,” the President concluded.
Rwanda’s government has not responded to the accusations by the DRC leader.
