Washington, D.C. – The United States has signed a historic peace agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda after decades of conflict, marking a significant milestone in efforts to bring stability to the Great Lakes region.
The agreement, which was signed on June 27 at the Department of State in Washington, D.C., brings together the governments of the two countries and establishes a framework for peace, security, and economic cooperation. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both countries, as well as representatives from the African Union, Qatar, and other international partners.
The agreement builds on the Declaration of Principles signed between the two countries in April and marks a significant step towards resolving the long-standing conflict that has plagued the region for decades. The deal includes provisions for the respect of territorial integrity, disarmament and integration of non-state armed groups, establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism, and facilitation of refugee returns.
“We have chosen peace,” said Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, in a statement to the assembly. “What matters now is that we protect it and prove to our people and to the world that even in a region marked by deep scars, dignity and cooperation can prevail.”
The agreement was made possible through the leadership of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his team, as well as the facilitation efforts of Qatar and the African Union. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from both countries, including Rwandan President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, Congolese Foreign Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba Gombo, and Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Khulaifi.
The agreement has been welcomed by international partners, who see it as a major breakthrough in efforts to bring stability to the region. “This agreement marks an important step towards peace and security in the Great Lakes region,” said US Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken. “We look forward to supporting the implementation of this agreement and working with our partners to ensure its success.”
The signing of the agreement comes after months of intense negotiations between the two countries, facilitated by Qatar and the African Union. The talks were marked by significant progress, but also faced numerous challenges, including disagreements over issues such as security arrangements and economic cooperation.
Despite these challenges, the US and its international partners have welcomed the progress made so far and expressed confidence that the agreement can be implemented successfully. “We are committed to supporting the implementation of this agreement and working with our partners to ensure its success,” said a spokesperson for the US Department of State.
The signing of the DRC-Rwanda peace agreement is seen as a major victory for US diplomacy in Africa, marking a significant achievement in efforts to bring stability to the region. The agreement has been welcomed by international partners, who see it as a major step towards peace and security in the Great Lakes region.
Key Provisions of the Agreement
Respect for territorial integrity
Disarmament and integration of non-state armed groups
Establishment of a joint security coordination mechanism
Facilitation of refugee returns
Reaffirmation of MONUSCO’s mandate
Establishment of a regional economic integration framework
Reaction from International Partners
The signing of the agreement has been welcomed by international partners, who see it as a major breakthrough in efforts to bring stability to the region.
“We are committed to supporting the implementation of this agreement and working with our partners to ensure its success,” said a spokesperson for the US Department of State.
“The African Union welcomes this historic agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda,” said African Union Chairperson Faure Gnassingbé. “We look forward to supporting the implementation of this agreement and working with our partners to ensure its success.”
Qatar’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Khulaifi also welcomed the signing of the agreement, saying that Qatar had played a key role in facilitating the negotiations.
“We are proud to have played a key role in bringing these two countries together,” said Khulaifi. “We look forward to supporting the implementation of this agreement and working with our partners to ensure its success.”
The agreement has also been welcomed by international organizations, including the United Nations, which sees it as an important step towards peace and security in the Great Lakes region.
“We commend the governments of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda for their commitment to peace and security,” said a spokesperson for the UN. “We look forward to supporting the implementation of this agreement and working with our partners to ensure its success.”