A peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda has been hailed as “historic” by political leaders in Washington, but residents of Goma, at the heart of the conflict, remain skeptical. The deal, formally endorsed by both presidents, aims to end years of violence in eastern DR Congo. However, in Goma, people say their reality remains unchanged, with many expressing doubts about the agreement’s ability to bring lasting peace.
The conflict in eastern DR Congo has been ongoing for years, with the population suffering greatly. Goma resident Djemba Utsu, weary from years of conflict, said, “If their meeting will bring us peace, that’s a good thing. We have been at war for a long time and the population continues to suffer.” Another resident, Shishalo Mahemo, expressed deep skepticism, saying, “They say they are in a peace process, and then we learn that the war starts again. It hurts us and we are very worried.”
Despite the peace deal, fighting has intensified between Congolese forces and AFC-M23 rebels. Local sources reported new clashes in Kamanyola and Katogota in South Kivu, with a fresh surge in violence confirmed recently. Political analyst Omar Grâce warned that while the agreement is symbolically important, its implementation remains uncertain. “Politically, this agreement is historic,” he said. “However, there is cause for concern regarding its implementation. The mechanism will not depend solely on the written text. There are greater dangers linked to shifting from armed conflict to unfair economic exploitation.”
On the frontline, both sides accuse each other of violating the cease-fire. The Congolese army says rebels reignited hostilities, while AFC-M23 counters that government forces bombed their positions. The exchange of accusations masks the human cost, with local civil society groups reporting at least 20 civilians killed in recent days, including women and children.
As international diplomats celebrate progress abroad, the people of Goma say they want more than signatures – they want the guns to fall silent. The agreement’s success will depend on its implementation, and the international community will be watching closely to see if it can bring lasting peace to the region. With the conflict having caused immense suffering, the people of Goma are eager to see tangible results from the peace deal.
