The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity were signed in Washington DC with United States facilitation, marking a significant diplomatic breakthrough for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. UN Secretary-General António Guterres praised US President Donald Trump for his role and congratulated Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, describing the agreement as an important step toward rebuilding trust and promoting lasting peace in eastern DR Congo. He also highlighted ongoing progress in related regional peace efforts and urged all parties to fully honour their commitments, including the permanent ceasefire outlined in Security Council resolution 2773 (2025). The UN reaffirmed that it stands ready—through MONUSCO and other mechanisms—to support the path toward sustainable peace and stability.
Despite this diplomatic progress, renewed violence continues to affect eastern DR Congo. Armed clashes erupted across multiple territories, including Uvira, Walungu, Kabare, Fizi and Kalehe, involving heavy weapons and shelling that damaged homes and critical infrastructure. Local authorities reported civilian injuries, but ongoing fighting and blocked roads have prevented many from reaching medical facilities. The UN reiterated its call for all armed actors to comply with international humanitarian law, protect civilians and allow humanitarian access.
The humanitarian situation remains severe. South Kivu currently hosts around 1.2 million displaced people, and from January to September, UN agencies and partners assisted 1.5 million individuals with food, shelter, protection and health services. Even with the new peace agreement in place, the ongoing violence underscores the fragility of the situation and the urgent need for sustained efforts to protect civilians and stabilize the region.
