At the UN Security Council, Rwanda called for full and verifiable implementation of the Washington and Doha agreements, while urging action against the FDLR and proposing a tripartite verification mechanism.
Kigali stresses implementation of agreements
During a UN Security Council session on the situation in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo on Tuesday, September 29, Rwanda’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Martin K. Ngoga, stressed the need for full implementation of commitments made under the Washington and Doha peace processes.
Ngoga welcomed the diplomatic efforts involving the United States, Qatar and the African Union, but said signing agreements was not enough. He stressed that their implementation should be subject to verification.
According to the Rwandan diplomat, commitments by the different parties should be assessed using the same criteria and monitored through mechanisms capable of measuring progress.
Proposal for a tripartite mechanism
Rwanda said it had proposed a tripartite verification mechanism involving Rwanda, the DRC and the United States, with Washington acting as mediator.
Ngoga also said Kigali had taken steps to ease some of what it describes as its “defensive measures”. He said these steps had been communicated through the mechanisms established under the Washington agreements.
The issue of verification is part of discussions within the joint security coordination mechanism between Kigali and Kinshasa. The two countries have previously discussed mechanisms aimed at strengthening transparency and monitoring the implementation of their commitments.
FDLR remains a key issue for Rwanda
During his intervention, Rwanda’s representative also focused on the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
According to Kigali, the neutralisation of the armed group and an end to cooperation with it are key security commitments under the Washington process.
Ngoga said joint mechanisms had helped identify and map FDLR positions in eastern DRC. He also said information concerning alleged cooperation between the FARDC and armed groups had been submitted to monitoring mechanisms for verification.
These claims reflect Rwanda’s position and were not presented as independent findings during the session.
The Rwandan diplomat also rejected the idea that separate arrangements between Kinshasa and the FDLR could replace commitments made under the Washington process.
Kinshasa reaffirms its commitments
During the same session, the DRC representative reaffirmed Kinshasa’s commitment to the Washington and Doha processes and to ceasefire verification mechanisms.
The DRC said it was preparing an operation to neutralise the FDLR as part of its commitments under the Washington process. Kinshasa also called for reports of ceasefire violations to be verified by the relevant mechanisms.
The Congolese side, however, questioned the possibility of objectively assessing the number and location of Rwandan forces or defensive measures, arguing that such information was not sufficiently precise.
Washington and Doha processes at the centre of diplomacy
The Washington and Doha processes are among the main diplomatic frameworks currently addressing tensions and seeking a political settlement to the conflict in eastern DRC.
UN Special Representative James Swan told the Security Council that diplomatic efforts were continuing through these frameworks. He also referred to missions by the Expanded Joint Verification Mechanism in Minembwe, South Kivu, and Masisi, North Kivu.
For Kigali, the focus now is on the concrete and verifiable implementation of commitments made by the parties.
Sources: UN Security Council