Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have agreed to draft a peace deal by May 2, 2025, to resolve the escalating conflict in eastern DRC. The agreement, signed by the foreign ministers of both countries, was witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who expressed the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting the peace process.
The signing ceremony in Washington, DC, marked a rare moment of cooperation between the two nations, which have long been at odds over the violence in the DRC’s eastern regions. The violence, primarily fueled by the M23 rebel group, which Rwanda is accused of supporting, has caused widespread displacement and devastation. Thousands of civilians have been killed in clashes between DRC forces and the M23 rebels, which have seized key cities in the region, including Goma and Bukavu.
Secretary Rubio highlighted the significance of the peace agreement, emphasizing the broader regional implications. “A durable peace in the Great Lakes region will open the door for greater U.S. and broader Western investment,” he explained, noting that stable governance could bring economic opportunities to the region. He added, “Our firms are good corporate citizens, American firms, and they’ll bring good governance and ensure responsible, reliable supply chains.”
Both foreign ministers expressed cautious optimism, with DRC’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner emphasizing that the agreement was a “political commitment” to peace. “Peace must come first, followed by the rebuilding of trust, and then – only when conditions are right – the careful reopening of a path to meaningful bilateral cooperation,” Wagner stated.
Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, acknowledged the progress but stressed that the road to lasting peace would be challenging. “Today we are talking about the real issues, the root causes that must be addressed to achieve a lasting peace in our region,” Nduhungirehe said. He emphasized the importance of security, the return of refugees, and the need to build new economic value chains between the two countries.
The United States has facilitated these talks, with senior advisor Massad Boulos playing a key role in guiding the process. As part of the agreement, Rwanda and the DRC have committed to mutual recognition of sovereignty, addressing security concerns, and supporting the return of displaced persons.
While fighting continued in some areas of North Kivu, the signing of the Declaration of Principles signals a potential shift in diplomatic efforts to bring peace to a region long plagued by conflict. Both sides have pledged to work towards a comprehensive peace agreement, which, if successful, could reshape the region’s future and open the door to much-needed investment and development.
