Introduction

In the changing landscape of geopolitics, the events in the African Great Lakes region shift daily. Although there have been renewed peace efforts, the area remains unstable. There are vital updates on M23 violations and their land control. Additionally, the Doha Framework was signed, and the Washington Agreement and the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) bring new updates to the peace process.

M23 and the Doha Framework

M23 continues to violate ceasefire agreements, recruit new agents, and hold territory. This has shaped the security environment. M23 signed the Doha Framework on November 15, 2025. The Doha Framework is built upon the Doha Declaration of Principles, signed on July 19, 2001. The Doha Framework addresses the root causes of the conflict between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and M23. It calls for peaceful dialogue, de-escalation, and the return of displaced persons. Once adopted, it will set the stage for the Doha Framework for the Peace Agreement.

It is too early to know if the deal will succeed, since M23 often enters agreements while keeping a military force on the ground. In the past, M23 agreed to talks while increasing its armed forces. This has weakened previous agreements, such as the July ceasefire. This pattern may continue as M23 still controls major cities. On December 9, 2025, an M23 spokesperson said the city of Uvira was fully under M23’s control. This has resulted in 200,000 people displaced and 74 people killed. This shows how M23’s attacks can undermine ceasefire agreements and weaken the region.

Officials recognize that progress with the Doha Framework will be slow. The DRC and Rwanda report different stories, which continue to complicate the issue. Both countries disagree over Rwanda’s relation to M23 and their involvement in the continued violence. These fights prevent fully following the recent agreements and weaken trust between the countries. After an M23 attack in the Congo on December 9, 2025, Rwanda denied ever helping the rebels in the Congo. Despite this, the DRC and the UN say that there is clear evidence that they in fact did. These dynamics show that regional politics and fighting on the ground cannot be addressed separately.

DRC-Rwanda Relations and Diplomatic Initiatives 

Rising tensions between the DRC and Rwanda have driven major diplomatic shifts in the region. In response, the Washington Accords were signed on December 4, 2025, aiming to reduce cross-border tensions and promote disarmament. The accords also call for increased dialogue, regional cooperation, and international monitoring to prevent further escalation. Progress has been slow, due to deep mistrust between the two countries, but renewed commitments offer cautious hope for greater regional stability.

In late October 2025, representatives from the DRC, Rwanda, the African Union, Qatar, and the United States met in Washington, DC, to further discuss the Washington Peace Agreement. This meeting was significant because it focused on how to move toward peace by addressing groups such as the FDLR and reducing Rwanda’s military force. The meeting shows continued international involvement in the peace process while also demonstrating that peace depends on coordination between all actors.

Both the DRC and Rwanda agreed to start implementing security measures under the US-mediated deal. This includes withdrawing Rwandan troops from Eastern DRC. Both countries said that this would be a key step toward the peace agreement. However, M23’s recent takeover of another city in Eastern DRC raises questions about whether planned troop withdrawals address the core threat of M23. Defense concerns and mistrust remain more influential than diplomatic deals. Though global peace talks continue, the reality of the situation is fraught.

The Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) was signed in November 2025. REIF outlines economic ties between the Congo and Rwanda. This agreement has added an economic initiative to regional peace. Its goal is to reduce incentives for conflict by involving the two countries in joint infrastructure development and trade. This approach matters because it ties peace efforts to economic help rather than fragile ceasefires. Tensions and distrust between these countries complicate attempts at mediation. This is exacerbated by groups like M23 and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) within the DRC.

Conclusion

Although the situation in the African Great Lakes region has not erupted into a new full-scale conflict, recent developments show how fragile the region is. There have been new diplomatic efforts in the region aimed at peace, but the grounds remain unstable. M23 action, trouble carrying out the DRC-Rwanda deals, and a growing aid crisis show that real change needs global involvement. Without effective conflict management and follow-through, the situation could become even more dire.

Bibliography

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