DRC-Rwanda: Peace Agreement Ratified in Washington to Turn the Page on Three Decades of Tension

Washington - Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame ratified the DRC-Rwanda Peace Agreement on Thursday, December 4, 2025, in Washington, marking a major step toward the pacification of eastern DRC after nearly three decades of violence.

Based on the Declaration of Principles of April 25, 2025, the agreement commits both countries to mutual respect for territorial integrity, cessation of support for armed groups, and the creation of a joint security coordination mechanism. Under the accord, Kinshasa pledges to neutralize the FDLR, while Kigali must withdraw its troops from Congolese territory.

The agreement also provides for the voluntary return of refugees, guaranteed humanitarian access to vulnerable populations, and the establishment, within three months, of a regional economic integration framework.

President Tshisekedi reaffirmed his commitment to implementing the agreements "in all sincerity," calling for the same rigor from Rwanda." President Kagame welcomed an agreement “that contains everything necessary” to end the conflict, cautioning that its implementation may face ups and downs, while reaffirming Rwanda’s commitment to a stable and prosperous future.