Rwanda and DR Congo foreign ministers signed a “historic” peace agreement on Friday, June 27, in Washington D.C, marking what many people hope will be a turning point in the tensions between the two countries. ALSO READ: Details of Rwanda-DR Congo peace agreement signed in Washington The accord was formalised by Rwanda’s minister of foreign affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, and his Congolese counterpart, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, in the presence of U.S Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who facilitated the U.S-mediated talks that spanned over two months. According to Minister Nduhungirehe, the agreement will initially focus on neutralising FDLR, a Kinshasa-backed militia group formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. President Trump welcomed the Foreign Ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Oval Office to sign a historic peace agreement, ending a 30-year conflict. Today, the violence & destruction come to an end, & the entire region begins a new chapter of hope. pic.twitter.com/20P2SMBQiR — The White House (@WhiteHouse) June 27, 2025 “The first order of business is to begin implementation of the Concept of Operations for the Neutralization of FDLR, to be accompanied by a lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures,” Nduhungirehe said. ALSO READ: Peace in DR Congo will only come when Kinshasa addresses FDLR threat – former US Assistant Secretary of State The peace agreement allows for continued engagement through the Qatar-led negotiations, which are expected to address the concerns of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) rebellion, a Congolese coalition fighting for governance that supports basic human rights, secures all Congolese citizens, and addresses the root causes of conflict. “For the M23, in the agreement, we have decided to rely on the Doha talks because there are currently talks between the AFC/M23 and the DRC government to have a peace deal also, the minister explained. That will complement the Washington peace agreement. ALSO READ: Forgotten context: Why blaming Rwanda won't solve DR Congo's crisis Following the signing of the peace agreement, world leaders took to X, welcoming the development and sharing their views. U.S President Donald Trump, who welcomed both foreign ministers to the Oval Office shortly after the signing, declared, “Today, the violence and destruction come to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope.” Today, we witness a historic moment as the DRC and Rwanda sign a peace agreement that has the potential to reshape the future of the Great Lakes region. This landmark deal demonstrates a commitment to cooperation and stability in an area that has faced significant challenges for... pic.twitter.com/ChZkWblET5 — د. محمد الخليفي (@Dr_Al_Khulaifi) June 28, 2025 The State of Qatar, which has hosted key high-level negotiations including direct talks between President Paul Kagame and President Felix Tshisekedi in Doha, on March 18, expressed support for the agreement. In a statement released through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Qatar praised “the sincere will and genuine commitment demonstrated by both parties to the approach of peaceful and diplomatic solutions.” Qatar also expressed pride in having played a constructive role in facilitating dialogue between the two countries. Qatar participates in the signing ceremony of the Peace Agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Washington Read More: https://t.co/VHcpXkJSIf#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/qdAhhhzlCm — Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) June 27, 2025 French President Emmanuel Macron called the agreement “a historic step forward after decades of suffering,” adding, “To the Congolese and Rwandans, France sends a message of hope. Peace must hold.” L’accord de paix entre la RDC et le Rwanda, avec le soutien des États-Unis, est un pas en avant historique après des décennies de souffrance. Bonne nouvelle pour la région des Grands Lacs. Aux Congolais et aux Rwandais, la France adresse un message d’espoir. La paix doit tenir. — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) June 27, 2025 Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the accord as “a step meant to put an end to violence and killings,” and stressed, “It is crucial to stop wars and bring back hope for a safe life in every region of the world. Peace can be achieved through strength.” We welcome the peace agreement reached between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda—a step meant to put an end to violence and killings. It is crucial to stop wars and bring back hope for a safe life in every region of the world. And it is important... — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) June 27, 2025 The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who also witnessed the signing, noted that the accord complements existing African-led efforts for regional stability. The Chairperson of the AU Commission, H.E. @ymahmoudali, yesterday joined the US Secretary of State, H.E. @marcorubio, H.E. M. Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State of the State of Qatar, & H.E. Robert Dussey, Foreign Minister of Togo, in witnessing the signing of a peace agreement... pic.twitter.com/eYyKTp50Qf — African Union (@_AfricanUnion) June 28, 2025 “The agreement reinforces the AU's ongoing diplomatic initiatives as well as those led by the EAC and SADC,” he said in a statement released on the commission's official Account. He also commended the pivotal roles played by both the United States and Qatar, stressing the importance of international cooperation rooted in African priorities. Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, who attended the signing ceremony, extended gratitude to Washington for its role in brokering the agreement. On behalf of the President @FEGnassingbe , I’d like to thank the @POTUS @SecRubio for the signature of this peace deal between the #DRC and #Rwanda. Togo stands by your side to contribute a durable peace in the greate lakes region. @_AfricanUnion @StateDept @MofaQatar_FR #USA https://t.co/4VDG687QKq pic.twitter.com/tznudFahv4 — Robert Dussey (@rdussey) June 28, 2025 “Togo stands by your side to contribute to a durable peace in the Great Lakes region,” he wrote on X. ‘A force mightier than the Congolese army itself’ Despite the wave of international optimism, voices of uncertainty, or cautious optimism, have also emerged. Inside the AFC/M23 camp, Willy Manzi, the Deputy Governor of North Kivu, in eastern DR Congo, expressed doubts about the feasibility of the agreement’s provision to disarm FDLR. #FDLR sympathizers may be in mourning, as the Kinshasa regime has effectively signed off on a mission impossible, disarming a force mightier than the Congolese army itself. Thank you, @realDonaldTrump. — Manzi Willy (@RealManziWilly) June 28, 2025 “The Kinshasa regime has effectively signed off on a mission impossible, disarming a force mightier than the Congolese army itself,” he stated. ALSO READ: Ex-FDLR leader: DR Congo's support for genocidal militia biggest threat to peace Last month, AFC/M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa outlined four main reasons – including bad governance – why his group is fighting to topple the Congolese government. Nangaa attributed the crisis in eastern DR Congo to the collapse of state institutions in what he described as a failed state. The rebellion has vowed to uproot tribalism, nepotism, corruption, and the genocide ideology spread by FDLR, among other vices, widespread in DR Congo.
