Rwanda, DRC sign peace agreement to end three decades of war
Washington, DC, US (PANA) - Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Friday signed a peace agreement in Washington, DC, that US officials said would end a 30-year conflict between them and set both countries and their people on a path towards peace and prosperity.
The DRC foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, signed on behalf of her Government, and Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe signed on behalf of the Government of Rwanda.
US Secretary of state Marco Rubio signed as a witness.
A press release by the US Department of State said the signing ceremony was attended by African Union (AU) Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, on behalf of the African Union, and Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi as observers.
Mr. Rubio, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and US Senior Advisor Massad Boulos hosted the Ministerial signing of the peace agreement.
The US said the Ministerial signing of the Peace Agreement marks “a historic milestone in the pursuit of peace and prosperity for the DRC, Rwanda, and the broader Great Lakes region of Africa”.
It said building upon the Declaration of Principles signed by both parties on 25 April , 2025, “the agreement reflects months of sustained negotiations”, led by Senior Advisor Boulos.
“These discussions addressed longstanding issues of governance, security, and economic integration and laid the foundation for a comprehensive agreement that confronts the root causes of a protracted conflict and supports a sustainable path toward regional peace and stability,” the US State Department said.
“The Peace Agreement entered into force upon signature, and the United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting its full and timely implementation.”
The statement said in close coordination with the African Union, Qatar, and Togo, the United States will continue to engage both parties to ensure implementation of the obligations laid out in the agreement.
It added that in the coming weeks, the US looks forward to hosting a Summit of the Heads of State of Rwanda and DRC at the White House to further advance peace, stability, and mutual economic prosperity.
Mr. Boulos and Mr. Rubio lauded US President Donald Trump's commitment to see peace between the two countries saying this would not be possible without his leadership and vision.
“He has made peace a priority of his administration, and we have taken up his call to find a peaceful resolution to this conflict.”
Mr. Boulos played up “the tireless work” of both foreign ministers and their teams into reaching the agreement.
He also recognised the partnership from the Government of Qatar, “who is driving towards a parallel agreement between the Government of the DRC and the M23 armed group”.
In addition, Mr. Boulos acknowledged that the work done under the auspices of the African Union was critical for reaching this agreement. “We look forward to coordinating with the AU chairperson and Togolese president, who is serving as the AU facilitator, to ensure implementation of the agreement.”
Mr. Rubio said this was not easy adding that there is still work to be done in terms of implementation.
The US Secretary of State noted that this is an important moment after 30 years of war saying he is looking forward to have the heads of state of the respective countries in Washington DC in a few weeks to finalise the complete protocol and agreement.
Mr Rubio said peace is not just about ending wars; it’s not just about saving lives; it’s about allowing people to live.
“It’s about allowing people to now have dreams and hopes for a better life, for prosperity, for economic opportunity, for family reunification – for all of the things that make life worth living. Those things become impossible when there’s war and when there’s conflict.”
The Rwandan Foreign Minister, Mr. Nduhungirehe, thanked President Trump for his personal engagement in facilitating this historic agreement.
He said the agreement is the product of months of coordinated efforts by multiple actors.
He noted the important role played by Qatar saying the opening which led to Friday's agreement began in Doha.
“We will lend our full support in the weeks ahead to Qatar’s mediation efforts, led by Minister of State Mohammed Al Khulaifi, to secure a peace agreement between the DRC Government and the AFC/M23. This process is already well underway. Today’s agreement also builds on the African-led peace initiatives, which are ably led by the African Union facilitator, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.”
Mr. Nduhungirehe stressed that the heart of this peace agreement is the decision to establish a standing joint security coordination mechanism between DRC and Rwanda.
“The first order of business is to begin implementing of the concept of operations for the neutralization of the FDLR (Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda), to be accompanied by a lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures. This is grounded in the commitment made here for an irreversible and verifiable end to state support for FDLR and associated militias. That is the bedrock of peace and security in our region.”
Mr. Nduhungirehe said FDLR is “no ordinary militia”, adding that it is the remnant of the forces which committed the genocide against the Tutsi in 1994 in which a million people were killed.
He said with this agreement, they are committed to facilitate the return of refugees in their respective territories, with the support of the UNHCR. Creating the conditions for the safe and dignified return of refugees is vital to achieve a lasting peace, he said.
Mr. Nduhungirehe said Rwanda also looks to enhance economic cooperation, including with American companies and investors. Shared growth and cross-border cooperation will unlock tangible dividends for both our countries.
“We must acknowledge that there is a great deal of uncertainty in our region and beyond, because many previous agreements have not been implemented, and there is no doubt that the road ahead will not be easy. But with the continued support of the United States and other partners, we believe that a turning point has been reached. Rwanda stands ready to work with the DRC to deliver on our joint commitments.”
Ms. Wagner, the DRC foreign minister, said with this peace agreement, a new chapter has been opened – one that calls not only for commitment but for the courage to see it through.
“By signing this agreement, we reaffirm a simple truth: Peace is a choice but also a responsibility to respect international law, to uphold human rights, and to protect the sovereignty of states. Those who have suffered the most are watching. They’re expecting this agreement to be respected, and we cannot fail them.”
Ms. Wagner said this moment has been long in coming. “It will not erase the pain, but it can begin to restore what conflict has robbed many women, men, and children of: safety, dignity, and a sense of future.”
She said for the Great Lakes region, it offers a rare chance to turn the page, not just with words but with real change on the ground.
“Some wounds will heal, but they will never fully disappear. They may grow over, but the skin will forever remain thin and frail, and deep down the flesh will still remember. At times we will feel numb and at others we will feel a sudden pang that will remind us of what was lost forever. The scars we carry on our bodies and in our souls will remind us of what must never be forgotten, repeated, or accepted.”
Ms. Wagner echoed what a coalition of women’s organisations shared with her stressing, “We want a peace that is real, lived, shared, and built with us.”
She said: “To our fellow citizens in the east, this agreement was signed with you in mind. It provides for the disengagement of armed forces, the protection of civilians, the return of displaced persons and of refugees under government authority, and establishes a follow-up mechanism to ensure compliance.”
The DRC top diplomat said these are not just words on paper. They must now be translated into action, justice, accountability, and political will.
“This peace agreement is the starting point, not the end goal. It must now be followed by disengagement, justice, and the return of displaced families and the return of refugees both to the DRC and Rwanda.
“What we have signed is only as strong as our will to implement it. We, the DRC, will certainly and resolutely fight for this agreement to be respected, not with our words but with our deeds.”
Ms. Wagner said they have chosen peace, adding what matters now is that we protect it and prove to our people and to the world that even in a region marked by deep scars, dignity and cooperation can prevail.
The conflict has impacted millions of people of the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) who urgently need international assistance than they are getting.
The M23 rebels have captured large swathes of land in eastern DRC which is a no go area for the Kinshasa government.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has flagged that Rwandan-backed rebels, DRC troops, and allied militias have all committed human rights abuses in eastern DRC, some possibly amounting to war crimes.
-0- PANA MA 27June2025
