Rwanda and DR Congo sign a peace agreement in Washington

On Friday, June 27, the foreign ministers of Rwanda and DR Congo signed the long-awaited peace deal in Washington, DC. The process had been mediated by the US for more than two months.

The deal was signed by Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, who is the Foreign Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio was also there.

According to Massad Boulos, who is US President Donald Trump’s Senior Advisor for Africa, the agreement goes into action right away. It builds on the declaration of principles that was signed in Washington, DC, on April 25.

Boulos said that one part of the agreement is the concept of operations (CONOPS) of a unified plan to neutralize the FDLR. The agreement was signed by the expert teams from Rwanda and the Congo on June 18.

Secretary Rubio said at the signing event that it wasn’t easy to come to a deal and that there is still work to be done to put it into action.

He said, “This would not have been possible without such close friends and partners in the African Union and in Qatar.”

In his speech, he called the signing an important step toward peace and said that peace is more than just stopping wars.

Rubio said, “We know there’s still more work to be done, but we thank you all very much for being a part of this historic and important day.” He also said that President Trump’s policies were what made the US government help with the peace process.

Nduhungirehe thanked everyone who was working on the peace process, both inside and outside of Africa, saying that their hard work was essential.

He made it clear that the choice to set up a permanent joint security coordination mechanism between DR Congo and Rwanda is what the peace agreement is all about.

He said, “The first thing that needs to be done is to start putting the plan for operations to neutralize the FDLR into action, along with removing Rwanda’s defenses.”

“As part of this agreement, we also agreed to help refugees return to their home countries with the help of the UNHCR. For there to be permanent peace, it is important to make sure that refugees can return home safely and with respect, he said.

He promised that Rwanda is ready to work with DR Congo to keep the promises they made to each other.

As for Kayikwamba, she said that the peace deal opens a new chapter for the two countries, one that needs dedication and the courage to see it through.