The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have signed a landmark peace agreement aimed at ending years of hostilities between the two countries. The deal, brokered by the United States with support from Qatar, was signed on Friday at the White House in Washington, DC, by the foreign ministers of both nations.
The agreement outlines concrete steps toward restoring peace and stability, including the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory within three months, the establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days, and the launch of a regional economic integration framework within 90 days.
The peace accord comes amid heightened violence in the DRC’s eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have intensified attacks in recent months. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians since the beginning of the year.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner described the deal as “a turning point” after decades of violence rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
“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 — safety, dignity, and a sense of future,” Wagner said.
She stressed that the agreement must be followed by tangible actions, including the full disengagement of armed forces, the delivery of justice, and the safe return of displaced persons and refugees to both the DRC and Rwanda.
“Those who have suffered the most are watching. They are expecting this agreement to be respected, and we cannot fail them,” she added.
The deal marks the most significant diplomatic breakthrough in the region in years and is seen as a critical step toward lasting peace in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
