Rwandan President Paul Kagame has accused the Congolese government of delaying the signing of a peace deal aimed at ending a conflict in the mineral-rich eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The region has endured three decades of armed conflict, costing hundreds of thousands of lives.

Violence intensified in January when M23 rebel group captured swathes of territory, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu.

In June, the DRC reached a peace agreement with Rwanda, brokered by Washington, and the following month signed a declaration of principles with the M23 in Doha for a "permanent ceasefire."

Kagame says Rwanda not delaying peace deal

"What is delaying, I can assure you... does not come from or relate to Rwanda," Kagame said in a lengthy press conference.

The DRC "set different conditions other than what was actually done and agreed in Washington", he alleged.

"So this is what delays the things."

The DRC's presidential office has told AFP the peace deal could be signed in Washington on December 4 between Kagame and his Congolese counterpart Felix Tshisekedi, although nothing has been confirmed.

'Redoubling' efforts

"I'm not sure that we are going to meet in Washington" in early December, Kagame said. "We would wait and keep hoping."

In November, the two countries acknowledged the lack of progress and pledged to "redouble their efforts to implement the Washington peace agreement", according to a joint statement released by the US State Department.