Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a historic 'Declaration of Principles' on Friday, April 25, in Washington, D.C. The agreement aims to pave the way for lasting peace in eastern DRC and across the wider Great Lakes Region. The declaration was signed by Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and his DRC counterpart Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. The signing was witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Representing President Paul Kagame and the Government of Rwanda, Minister Nduhungirehe expressed appreciation to U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary Rubio,

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a historic 'Declaration of Principles' on Friday, April 25, in Washington, D.C. The agreement aims to pave the way for lasting peace in eastern DRC and across the wider Great Lakes Region. The declaration was signed by Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and his DRC counterpart Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. The signing was witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Representing President Paul Kagame and the Government of Rwanda, Minister Nduhungirehe expressed appreciation to U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Senior Adviser Massad Boulos for their support in promoting dialogue and regional cooperation. "Today, we are discussing the real issues—the root causes that must be addressed to achieve lasting peace in our region," said Minister Nduhungirehe during the signing ceremony. He highlighted that the Declaration of Principles reinforces African-led peace efforts, including those of the East African Community (EAC), the Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the Qatar-led Doha process. Secretary Rubio praised the agreement as a vital step toward ending long-standing violence and unlocking the region's economic potential. “This declaration sets a foundational framework for governance, security, and economic cooperation. It is a significant move toward ending decades of conflict and realizing the full promise of the region,” said Rubio. He also recognized the complexity of the situation in eastern DRC, which has experienced instability for over three decades. “For 30 years, eastern Democratic Republic of Congo has faced persistent conflict. Achieving durable peace and sustainable development will be challenging, but it is essential,” he added. The agreement follows a high-level meeting between President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC, which took place in Doha on March 18, 2025. The trilateral meeting was hosted by Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to address the escalating crisis in eastern DRC. During that meeting, the leaders expressed support for progress made under the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes, as well as the outcomes of the joint EAC-SADC summit held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025. They reaffirmed their shared commitment to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, reinforcing their dedication to peace and stability in the region.

A little more informed. A little more connected.