WASHINGTON, USA – On June 27, secretary of state Marco Rubio, under secretary for political affairs Allison Hooker, and senior advisor Massad Boulos hosted the ministerial signing of the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Rwanda.
Foreign minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner signed on behalf of the government of the DRC, and foreign minister Olivier Nduhungirehe signed on behalf of the government of Rwanda, while secretary Rubio signed as a witness. The signing ceremony was attended by African Union chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Togolese foreign minister Robert Dussey, on behalf of the African Union, and Qatari minister of state Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi as observers.
“The ministerial signing of the Peace Agreement marks a historic milestone in the pursuit of peace and prosperity for the DRC, Rwanda, and the broader Great Lakes region of Africa. Building upon the Declaration of Principles signed by both parties on April 25, 2025, the agreement reflects months of sustained negotiations, led by senior advisor Boulos,” said the US department of state in a media note. “These discussions addressed longstanding issues of governance, security, and economic integration and laid the foundation for a comprehensive agreement that confronts the root causes of a protracted conflict and supports a sustainable path toward regional peace and stability.”
The media note attributed to the office of the spokesperson added:
“The Peace Agreement entered into force upon signature, and the United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting its full and timely implementation. In close coordination with the African Union, Qatar, and Togo, the United States will continue to engage both parties to ensure implementation of the obligations laid out in the agreement. In the coming weeks, we look forward hosting a Summit of the heads of state at the White House to further advance peace, stability, and mutual economic prosperity.”
Meanwhile, Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said:
“I welcome today’s announcement of a peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda, which includes a prohibition of hostilities in eastern Congo and an agreement between both parties to facilitate full humanitarian access and the return of refugees and internally displaced persons. For too long, Congolese civilians in the east have been subjected to displacement, extreme violence, sexual abuse, and intimidation by armed groups. This brutality must end immediately.
“Good-faith implementation of the agreement in the weeks ahead must be paramount. I look forward to seeing the full withdrawal of Rwandan Defense Forces from the DRC, as well as swift action to disarm the M23, Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and other armed groups. It is also imperative to undertake transparent security reforms and ensure robust inclusion of Congolese civil society in determining how to address DRC’s many internal governance and security challenges. And, the planned regional economic integration framework referenced in this deal can be a critical step toward securing a brighter future—and it must incorporate the full engagement of the Congolese and Rwandan people, including communities in mining areas who deserve to benefit.
“For its part, the Trump administration must now work to facilitate this promising deal by reversing its harmful foreign aid cuts and surging humanitarian and development assistance to those in the region who have long suffered from this conflict. Continued high-level US attention on monitoring and accountability during the implementation process will be critical. I applaud both the Congolese and Rwandan governments for taking this step toward peace, which is essential to the region’s future prosperity.”
