The Rwanda-DRC bilateral framework, dubbed ‘Four plus four’ has seen both countries witnessing the warming up of relations.

The success of this warm up was the recently concluded joint military offensive against the  negative  forces; Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda ( FDLR) holed up in Eastern DRC in an operation dubbed ‘Umoja Wetu’.

The above developments point towards a strong basis for the future strengthening of the Rwanda- DRC relationship. The strengthening of this partnership is undertaken via routine sessions known as ‘four plus four’ bilateral framework whose next round is scheduled to commence in Kinshasa today.

The reason for Rwanda’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Rosemary Museminali, to lead a high level delegation to Kinshasa. It is on this basis that one can confidently state that both countries are on a firm footing in crafting and mounting joint solutions to confront mutual problems as neighbours.

The political will to forge such a common front is actually the most important development to have come from the leadership of both countries in the most recent times.

In effect it underscores the commitment towards ensuring the sustainability of peace within the Great Lakes Region. Thus it is clear that the current warming up of relations between Rwanda and the DRC as a pure African initiative should be seen as a stepping stone of bringing other actors to enhance the peace efforts underway.

France therefore ought to acknowledge the fact that the current dynamics within the Great Lakes irreversible and the only way forward is to give peace and cooperation a chance. This it can do by closing the gap it has been keeping against Rwanda.

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