Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, has announced that a Rwandan delegation is participating in trilateral talks involving Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the United States, taking place in Washington, D.C
The talks are being held amid ongoing tensions in the region, largely driven by the conflict in eastern DRC.
Recently, DRC forces and allied groups launched attacks against the M23 rebel group, including one that reportedly killed M23 spokesperson Lt. Col. Willy Ngoma. Another drone strike also killed a French national working for UNICEF in Goma.
Reports indicate that senior officials from both Rwanda and the DRC are expected to meet in Washington this week for discussions led by the U.S. Department of State.
Minister Nduhungirehe confirmed the development in an interview, saying “Yes, it is true. There is a delegation in Washington for that purpose.”
This marks the first time delegations from both sides are meeting in the United States since Rwanda was subjected to military-related sanctions targeting the Rwanda Defence Force and four senior Rwandan officers, sanctions that Rwanda has described as biased.
According to The Africa Report, those expected to attend the talks include President Paul Kagame’s advisor Mauro De Lorenzo and Brig. Gen. Patrick Karuretwa, who is responsible for Rwanda’s military cooperation with foreign partners.
Both have previously participated in negotiations between Rwanda and the DRC that led to the signing of a peace agreement at the end of 2025.
On the DRC side, participants are expected to include President Félix Tshisekedi’s special envoy, Patrick Lubeya.
