US ambassador-designate to Rwanda Nicholas Checker has outlined his priorities for his upcoming tenure, including supporting peace efforts in the region and promoting economic deals that benefit both the United States and the region. He made the remarks on Thursday, September 24, during a US Senate hearing as he sought approval for his appointment as the next US ambassador to Rwanda. Checker, a diplomat and former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) official, was nominated earlier in July by the US government for the position, but he had to go through the Senate approval process. In the US, ambassadorial nominees are referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which reviews their qualifications and votes on whether to advance the nomination to the full Senate. During Thursday’s hearing, senators asked Checker about his plans to support the Washington Accords, a peace deal negotiated between Rwanda and DR Congo by President Donald Trump, as well as the regional economic framework negotiated alongside the agreement. Speaking about the regional economic framework, Checker said it “has firm commitments” on transparency and traceability of minerals that US firms need for defence and consumer electronics applications. “So what we're really offering is a mutually beneficial proposition that says, let's help secure our critical supply chains, but at the same time, create a transparent, sound investment climate for the betterment of the folks there,” he said. “So this is really economic integration for peace,” he added. On the Washington peace accords, Checker said implementation remains the central challenge, including the need to neutralise the FDLR. Checker will replace Eric Kneedler, who left the post in January after serving as ambassador since October 2023. Before joining the State Department, Checker spent more than a decade at the CIA, serving from 2014 to 2025. He worked on conflicts in the greater Middle East and the Horn of Africa and also served in the agency's Office of Congressional Affairs. He also served as Deputy Executive Secretary at the National Security Council during President Trump's first administration. Checker later served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Southern Africa and Foreign Assistance at the US Department of State. He previously led the Bureau of African Affairs as Senior Bureau Official. He holds a bachelor's degree in history and political science from the University of Wisconsin and a master's degree in Security Studies from Georgetown University.
