The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have agreed to ease tensions, says the U.S. department of state in a statement.

This came after a meeting on March 17-18 between representatives of the DRC and Rwanda in Washington D.C.

Earlier at the end of last year, the two countries signed what has been termed as Washington Peace Agreement under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity – a deal signed after the leaders of the two countries had held talks with U.S. president Donald Trump.

But, despite the agreement, tensions along the common borders of the two countries have not eased.

“The DRC and Rwanda agreed to a series of coordinated steps to de-escalate tensions and advance progress on the ground,” said the state department statement. “These efforts include a mutual commitment to specific measures to support each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the scheduled disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda in defined areas in DRC territory, time-bound and intensified efforts by the DRC to neutralize the FDLR, and the protection of all civilians.”

Rwanda claims that the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) as a "genocidal militia" and says its continued existence in eastern DR Congo threatens its own teThe U.S. interest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is primarily driven by securing access to critical minerals—such as cobalt, copper, and lithium—crucial for manufacturing and green energy technology, aiming to challenge Chinese dominance in the sector.

The U.S. engages as the largest bilateral donor for development and security, recently backing investments and regional peace efforts to ensure resource access.

It also sees expanded presence of China in the region as a threat for its long-term economic interests.