Tshisekedi Assures U.S. and Rwanda of DRC Commitment to Dismantle Armed Groups

Washington, D.C. - President Félix Tshisekedi has assured the United States and Rwanda that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will fully implement the provisions of the peace and economic cooperation agreement signed with Rwanda, including the dismantling of armed groups operating on its territory.

Speaking after the signing ceremony held in the United States on December 4, 2025, where he and Rwandan President Paul Kagame formalized the agreement, Tshisekedi reaffirmed his government’s commitment to peace and security.

“The DRC is committed to respecting, with full integrity, all the requirements of this agreement,” Tshisekedi said. “We will do so continuously, in the pursuit of peace and security for our people, and for the unity and sovereignty of our country.”

The Congolese leader expressed confidence that Rwanda would also honor the agreement, stressing that the two neighbors would work together in a spirit of mutual respect.

“We are moving toward a peaceful partnership based on mutual respect, non-interference, and a shared determination to combat armed groups, end all support for them, and build a true partnership,” he added.

Tshisekedi said the agreement places both countries in exceptional circumstances that could pave the way for lasting peace, while emphasizing that the DRC government would remain vigilant as it works with regional and international partners to fulfill its obligations.

“This Washington peace and economic agreement must serve our people,” he said, “and stand as a clear sign of our determination to close the chapter of confrontation and open a new era of cooperation and lasting peace in the region.”

The Rwanda-DRC peace agreement предусматривает the neutralization and dismantling of the FDLR and other affiliated armed groups, while Rwanda is expected to lift security measures it had previously put in place in response to regional threats.

The accord also outlines joint initiatives between Rwanda and the DRC, including:

Construction of the Rusizi III hydroelectric dam

Shared management of resources in Lake Kivu

The United States, which facilitated the agreement, said that full implementation would lead to sustainable peace and development in the Great Lakes region, delivering tangible benefits to citizens on both sides of the border.