logo
Joint Statement on the Inaugural Joint Oversight Committee Meeting for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda

Joint Statement on the Inaugural Joint Oversight Committee Meeting for the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda

Zawya4 days ago
On July 31, 2025, representatives from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda (Rwanda), along with observers from the United States, the State of Qatar, the Republic of Togo (as the African Union facilitator), and the African Union Commission held the first meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee for the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Rwanda that was signed in Washington, D.C. on June 27, 2025.
The Joint Oversight Committee is charged with serving as a forum for implementation and dispute resolution of the peace agreement. The Committee is responsible for receiving complaints about violations of the agreement, taking appropriate measures to address violations, and amicably settling disputes. During the first meeting, the parties selected their Chairpersons for the Committee, adopted terms of reference to govern future meetings of the Committee, discussed progress on implementing the Agreement, and prepared for the first meeting of the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism.
The African Union, State of Qatar, and the United States participated in these discussions to ensure complementarity and alignment between implementation efforts and on-going initiatives aimed at dialogue and durable peace in the region. Both the DRC and Rwanda expressed their appreciation for the invaluable contributions and joint efforts of the African Union, United States, and Qatar as partners in advancing a peaceful resolution.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

African Development Bank demonstrates continued support to African Union (AU) peacebuilding efforts in Ethiopia
African Development Bank demonstrates continued support to African Union (AU) peacebuilding efforts in Ethiopia

Zawya

time11 hours ago

  • Zawya

African Development Bank demonstrates continued support to African Union (AU) peacebuilding efforts in Ethiopia

The African Development Bank Group ( has reaffirmed its commitment to peacebuilding and lasting stability in Africa during a technical workshop to finalize the 'Handbook for the African Union Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM)'. The three-day workshop, which concluded 21 July, was organised by the African Union Commission. Held under the auspices of the Bank's Joint Secretariat Support Office, it brought together key stakeholders to consolidate lessons learned and best practices to guide the operationalization and institutional strengthening of the AU-MVCM. The mission was launched in December 2022, in accordance with Article 11 of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, signed on November 2, 2022, between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front. The AU-MVCM is a key peace support mechanism mandated to monitor, verify, and ensure compliance with the end of hostilities agreement. Its implementation marks a historic milestone in AU-led mediation efforts and reflects Africa's leadership in addressing complex peace and security challenges through home-grown solutions. In response to a formal request from the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, the Bank initially provided $1 million in 2022 to support the Office of the High Representative for the Horn of Africa in its mediation mandate. In 2023, the Bank further committed roughly $2.4 million in technical assistance to strengthen the AUC's capacity to respond to regional instability, support the implementation of peace frameworks, and enhance conflict prevention efforts across the Horn of Africa. 'The Bank's continued engagement reflects its unwavering commitment to strengthening African institutions and mechanisms for conflict resolution, post-conflict reconstruction, and long-term resilience,' said Abibu Tamu, Lead Programme Coordinator at the Bank's Joint Secretariat Support Office. 'This Handbook will not only enhance the effectiveness of the AU-MVCM but will also contribute to broader efforts to institutionalise peace processes across the continent.' The development of the AU-MVCM Handbook is one of the main deliverables of the Bank's support. It serves as a strategic reference tool for mission personnel, outlining operational procedures, roles and responsibilities, key monitoring and verification protocols, as well as coordination frameworks with national and regional stakeholders. The Handbook also documents key activities and lessons learned from the ongoing implementation of the hostilities agreement, providing a blueprint for future AU-led peace support operations. The three-day workshop yielded strong consensus among partners on the structure, content, and utility of the Handbook. It represents an important step toward institutionalising the gains made in Ethiopia and ensuring that African-led peace frameworks are adequately equipped to manage complex crises. Through this initiative, the African Development Bank continues to demonstrate its strategic support for peace, security and development, recognising that sustainable stability is a prerequisite for achieving inclusive growth and transformation across the African continent. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Media contact: Christin Roby Communication and External Relations Department media@ About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 41 African countries with an external office in Japan, the Bank contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:

Invest Africa and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Announce Partnership for The Africa Debate
Invest Africa and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Announce Partnership for The Africa Debate

Zawya

time11 hours ago

  • Zawya

Invest Africa and the Government of the United Arab Emirates Announce Partnership for The Africa Debate

Invest Africa ( the leading platform for promoting trade and investment across the African continent, is proud to announce a partnership with the Government of the United Arab Emirates for its flagship Africa Debate conference, taking place on 30 September 2025 in Dubai. Held in collaboration with the UAE Ministry of Foreign Trade, the forum will bring together over 500 senior figures from government, finance, and industry under the theme 'Shared Markets. Shared Future.' As Africa undergoes a generational shift toward industrialisation, digitalisation, and green transition, the event offers a timely and focused platform to deepen UAE–Africa economic cooperation. The UAE's emergence as Africa's largest investor—committing over $110 billion between 2019 and 2023, including $72 billion in renewable energy—marks a major shift in global capital flows. The Africa Debate will spotlight some of the headline transactions that illustrate this evolving partnership, including ADNOC/XRG's entry into Mozambique's Rovuma Basin, IHC/IRH's $1.1bn acquisition of Zambia's Mopani Copper Mines, and G42 and Microsoft's $1bn geothermal-powered data centre in Kenya, amongst others. His Excellency Juma Al Kait, Assistant Undersecretary for International Trade Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Economy, commented: 'Africa is a vital partner in our economic future. Through The Africa Debate, we look forward to strengthening our ties, building shared prosperity, and showcasing the UAE as a gateway for impactful, long-term investment across the continent. This partnership with Invest Africa reflects our commitment to co-developing opportunities that serve both African development goals and the UAE's vision for economic diversification and global cooperation.' Chantelé Carrington, Chief Executive Officer of Invest Africa, added: 'We are delighted to partner with the UAE Government to deliver this years edition of The Africa Debate. Dubai has long been a global epicentre for climate innovation, digital finance, and investment strategy—all of which are central to Africa's growth story. This forum offers a rare opportunity to connect African and Emirati leaders in a dialogue not just about capital, but about shared vision, co-investment, and transformational outcomes.' The conference will feature a series of high-level sessions, including: Capital Meets Strategy – The UAE's evolving role in Africa's industrial future Hydrogen Horizons – Unlocking Africa's potential as a green hydrogen leader Can Africa Leapfrog to Smart Infrastructure? – Co-developing next-generation infrastructure Seeds of Opportunity – Agribusiness as a shared asset in a changing climate Reimagining Capital Flows – Sovereign wealth, blended finance, and regional co-investment Taking place just ahead of the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings and COP30, the event will contribute to a wider global conversation about how investment in the Global South can be both catalytic and commercially viable. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Invest Africa. For media enquiries, please contact: Pippa van Breda Marketing&Communications Manager, Invest Africa T: +44 2037 305 035 E: About The Africa Debate – UAE: The Africa Debate – UAE is a high-level investment forum hosted by Invest Africa in partnership with the UAE Government. The event brings together public and private sector leaders from across the UAE, Africa, and the global investment community to shape the next generation of UAE–Africa economic partnerships. The forum will focus on real strategy, real transactions, and cross-sector collaboration in infrastructure, energy, agribusiness, digital innovation, and climate finance. About Invest Africa: Invest Africa is a leading pan-African business and investment platform, connecting global capital with African opportunity. With more than sixty years of experience and a network of over 400 member companies, Invest Africa provides trusted market insight, bespoke support, and curated events across its chapters in the UK, UAE, Kenya, South Africa, and the United States.

India accuses EU, US of double standard over Russian trade
India accuses EU, US of double standard over Russian trade

Khaleej Times

time12 hours ago

  • Khaleej Times

India accuses EU, US of double standard over Russian trade

India has sharply criticised the United States and the European Union, saying it is being unfairly singled out by them over its Russian oil purchases when they both trade extensively with Moscow despite the war in Ukraine. India's criticism followed a renewed threat by U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday to raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases, deepening the trade rift between the two countries. In a rare show of unity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main opposition Congress on Tuesday condemned Trump's repeated criticism of New Delhi. India's Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued late on Monday that "it is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia". "It is unjustified to single out India," the ministry said. It said the EU conducted 67.5 billion euros ($78.02 billion) in trade with Russia in 2024, including record imports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) reaching 16.5 million metric tonnes. The United States, the statement said, continues to import Russian uranium hexafluoride for use in its nuclear power industry, palladium, fertilisers and chemicals. It did not give a source for the export information. The U.S. embassy and the EU's delegation in New Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Both the United States and EU have sharply scaled back their trade ties with Russia since it launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In 2021, Russia was the EU's fifth-largest trading partner, with goods exchange worth 258 billion euros, according to the EU executive European Commission. Sudden rift The sudden rift between India and the U.S. has been deepening since July 31, when Trump announced a 25% tariff on Indian goods being shipped to the U.S. and for the first time threatened unspecified penalties for buying Russian oil. India is one of the biggest buyers of crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million barrels per day from January to June this year, up 1% from a year ago. Indian refiner Nayara Energy, a major buyer of Russian oil which is majority owned by Russian entities including oil major Rosneft, was subjected to European Union sanctions targeting Russia's oil and energy industry in July. India has said it does not support "unilateral sanctions" by the EU. Trade experts say Trump's tariff could badly hurt India's economy. Ajay Srivastava of the New Delhi-based Global Trade Research Initiative said he expected Indian goods exports to the U.S. to fall 30% in the current fiscal year ending March 31, to $60.6 billion from $86.5 billion in the 2025 fiscal year. India's equity benchmarks fell after Trump's renewed threat of harsh tariffs on goods from India. Manish Tewari, a member of parliament and Congress leader, said Trump's "disparaging remarks hurt the dignity and self-respect of Indians". "The time has come to call out this constant bullying and hectoring," he added. BJP Vice President Baijayant Jay Panda quoted Henry Kissinger - the most powerful U.S. diplomat of the Cold War era - in a post on X: "To be an enemy of America can be dangerous, but to be a friend is fatal."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store