The United Nations has welcomed a newly signed peace accord between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda as a “critical step” toward restoring trust.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in a statement, hailed the accord, warning that active fighting near border areas continue to exact a heavy toll on civilians.

The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity were officially signed on Thursday in Washington DC, facilitated by the United States of America. 

Mr Guterres commended U.S. President Donald Trump for his efforts and congratulated Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda on what he called an “important milestone.”

He said, “These agreements represent a critical step towards restoring trust between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and in advancing efforts for lasting peace in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.”

He also welcomed progress under the Doha and African Union (AU)-led processes and urged parties “to honour the commitments they have undertaken, including the respect of a permanent ceasefire.”

The ceasefire was called for by Security Council in resolution 2773 (2025).

The Secretary-General reaffirmed that the United Nations, including its peacekeeping mission MONUSCO, stands ready to continue supporting efforts toward sustainable peace and regional stability.

Relations between the two neighbours have long been strained by conflicts in the mineral-rich eastern DRC, where armed groups operate amid deep-seated regional rivalries.

Earlier this year, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels launched new attacks in eastern DRC, occupying the region’s largest cities, fuelling displacement and regional tensions before diplomacy regained momentum.

As leaders signed the accord in Washington, DC, violence flared on the ground, resulting in more civilian deaths, injuries and displacement.

Since Tuesday, intense fighting, including the use of heavy weaponry and shelling, has been reported in several villages, UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said.

Dujarric said, “These attacks have damaged critical infrastructure and homes,” he told reporters in New York. We, yet again, reiterate our urgent call on all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and protect all civilians and civilian infrastructure. Humanitarian access must be granted to allow for life-saving assistance to reach those in need.”

As of the end of October, South Kivu was hosting some 1.2 million displaced people. Between January and September this year, UN agencies and partners provided food, shelter, protection and health services to 1.5 million people across the province. 

(NAN)