Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have taken a significant step towards economic integration, initialing the full text of the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) on November 7. The agreement, overseen by US Under Secretary Allison Hooker and US Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos, outlines key areas for fostering economic cooperation and development between the two nations.
The REIF aims to demonstrate the tangible benefits of peace and create opportunities for investment and growth that directly benefit people in the region. However, its implementation remains contingent upon the satisfactory execution of the Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and Operational Order (OPORD) under the Peace Agreement, highlighting the critical link between peace, stability, and economic progress.
The development comes as the two countries, along with the US, Qatar, Togo, and the African Union Commission, convened the fourth Joint Oversight Committee meeting in Washington, D.C. to assess the ongoing implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement. The meeting reaffirmed a shared commitment to maintaining momentum in the peace process and building on the progress achieved.
Despite recognizing lagging progress, the committee committed to redoubling efforts to implement the agreement, including specific near-term actions to neutralize the FDLR armed group and its associated groups, and advancing disengagement of forces and lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda. The parties also reaffirmed their commitment to refrain from hostile actions or rhetoric that could undermine the peace agreement.
The State of Qatar provided an update on ongoing negotiations in Doha between Kinshasa and AFC/M23, highlighting progress on key issues, including prisoner exchanges. The committee welcomed the first convening of the Doha ceasefire monitoring mechanism and expressed strong support for these efforts, emphasizing the critical role of the Doha process in advancing the broader implementation of the Peace Agreement.
The governments of the DRC and Rwanda expressed gratitude to the United States, Qatar, the African Union, and Togo for their support in advancing peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region. The initialing of the REIF and the progress made in the peace process demonstrate a commitment to cooperation and development, and the international community will be watching closely as the agreement is implemented and the region moves towards greater stability and economic growth.