Rwanda’s president, Paul Kagame, affirmed his nation’s commitment to a recent US-brokered peace deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This marks his first public statement since the agreement’s signing in Washington, an accord many hope will quell the prolonged conflict in eastern Congo.
Speaking at a Kigali news conference, Kagame lauded the US mediation, specifically crediting the Trump administration for addressing the crisis’s political, security, and economic dimensions. The agreement, signed on June 27, mandates an immediate cessation of hostilities between the two neighboring armies.
The pact directly addresses the DRC’s primary concerns, including upholding its territorial integrity, disarming armed groups, and implementing measures to restore lasting regional stability.
Kagame emphasized Rwanda’s unwavering commitment: “You will never find Rwanda at fault with implementing what we have agreed to do.” However, he cautioned that if the other parties renege on their commitments, Rwanda would revert to its previous approach to the problem.
Kagame highlighted the external nature of the Congo crisis, stressing that the peace deal’s success hinges on the goodwill of all parties involved. He expressed gratitude for President Trump’s initiative but clarified that ultimate responsibility for implementation rests with Rwanda and the DRC, not the US.
Meanwhile, DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba stated in Kinshasa that her government remains dedicated to translating the accord into lasting peace, sustainable development, and the full pacification of eastern provinces and the broader Great Lakes region.
Eastern Congo has endured decades of violence, with the resurgence of the M23 rebel group in 2021 significantly escalating the conflict. Clashes between the M23 and government forces have displaced at least 500,000 people and claimed over 3,000 lives by late February, according to the Africa Center for Strategic Studies.