US Welcomes DRC Decision to Disarm FDLR
The Senior Advisor to President Donald Trump on African Affairs, Massad Boulos, stated that the United States welcomed the Democratic Republic of Congo’s decision to dismantle the FDLR, a rebel group opposing the Rwandan government.
Massad Boulos said: “We welcome the DRC’s request for the FDLR to lay down its arms and surrender, in accordance with the Washington Peace Agreement, as reinforced by the October 1 operational decree.”
He added: “This tangible step promotes the implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, facilitates repatriation, restores state authority, and strengthens security in the Great Lakes Region.”
Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Maxime Prévot, also expressed his country’s approval of the DRC’s decision via X, emphasizing that sanctions against those who violate the agreement are necessary.
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Prévot said: “Preventing any cooperation between FARDC and FDLR and imposing strict sanctions on violators is essential. It is now crucial that these binding decisions are translated into concrete actions on the ground, with full involvement of all parties in achieving the goals of the Washington Peace Agreement.”
The agreement between Rwanda and the DRC signed in Washington provides for joint actions to weaken the FDLR and remove Rwanda’s security measures.
The Washington Peace Agreement, signed to complement the Doha peace process, is one of two diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving conflicts in eastern DRC following the capture of Goma and Bukavu and the failure of the Luanda talks.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) requested that FDLR fighters lay down their weapons and surrender to Congolese authorities or MONUSCO (the UN Mission in the DRC) on Friday, October 10, 2025.
