Experts at The Sentry Urge Accountability and Transparency
April 25, 2025 (Washington, DC) – Today, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host the signing of an agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on a “declaration of principles” between the neighboring countries. The DRC and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have agreed to halt fighting in eastern DRC and to work toward a permanent truce.
Sasha Lezhnev, Senior Advisor at The Sentry, said: “The agreement is a step in the right direction but must be leveraged with sanctions for the illicit behavior that helped cause the crisis. Without consequences for backing armed groups such as the M23 and FDLR and extensively smuggling conflict gold and other minerals, what incentive would Rwanda or the DRC government have to behave any differently going forward? Any sustainable peace must be built on accountability and transparency.”
Experts at The Sentry are available for further comment and analysis. Please contact: Greg Hittelman, Director of Communications, gh@thesentry.org
About The Sentry
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The Sentry is an investigative and policy organization that seeks to disable multinational predatory networks that benefit from violent conflict, repression, and kleptocracy. Pull back the curtain on wars, mass atrocities, and other human rights abuses, and you’ll find grand corruption and unchecked greed. These tragedies persist because the perpetrators rarely face meaningful consequences. The Sentry aims to alter the warped incentive structures that continually undermine peace and good governance. Our investigations follow the money as it is laundered from war zones to financial centers around the world. We provide evidence and strategies for governments, banks, and law enforcement to hold the perpetrators and enablers of violence and corruption to account. These efforts provide new leverage for human rights, peace, and anti-corruption efforts. Learn more at:
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