President Paul Kagame met with Massad Boulos, the United States Senior Advisor for Africa and Adviser to the U.S. President, to discuss ongoing efforts to promote peace in the Great Lakes region. The meeting was announced by the Office of the President at Village Urugwiro, on Thursday, October 9, 2025. “President Kagame met with Massad Boulos, U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa. Their discussions focused on ongoing efforts to advance peace in the Great Lakes region, and Rwanda’s continuous commitment to lasting peace and security,” Village Urugwiro posted on X. The United States has played a ke

President Paul Kagame met with Massad Boulos, the United States Senior Advisor for Africa and Adviser to the U.S. President, to discuss ongoing efforts to promote peace in the Great Lakes region. The meeting was announced by the Office of the President at Village Urugwiro, on Thursday, October 9, 2025. “President Kagame met with Massad Boulos, U.S. Senior Advisor for Africa. Their discussions focused on ongoing efforts to advance peace in the Great Lakes region, and Rwanda’s continuous commitment to lasting peace and security,” Village Urugwiro posted on X. The United States has played a key mediating role in addressing issues affecting the Great Lakes region, particularly between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), whose relations have long been strained. Through U.S. mediation, Rwanda and the DRC signed a peace agreement in Washington, D.C., on June 27, 2025. The agreement outlines measures to restore peace in the region, reduce tensions, and promote mutual respect for each nation’s sovereignty. It also commits both countries to prevent conflicts, cease hostilities, disarm and reintegrate non-state armed groups, and establish a joint mechanism to monitor security developments. Other provisions include facilitating refugee repatriation, supporting UN peacekeeping efforts in the DRC, and enhancing regional economic cooperation. Additionally, both nations agreed on a joint plan to dismantle the FDLR terrorist group. The Joint Oversight Committee tasked with implementing the peace agreement confirmed that military operations against armed groups would begin on October 1, 2025, with the campaign to eliminate the FDLR scheduled between October 21 and 30, 2025. However, despite the peace deal, on October 3, 2025, Rwanda and the DRC were expected to sign the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) in Washington, D.C., but the signing was canceled at the last minute after the Rwandan delegation was reportedly surprised by the DRC’s sudden withdrawal, according to Rwanda’s side.

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