Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on Thursday signed a historic peace agreement aimed at ending years of tension and conflict along their shared border.
The treaty, finalized after extensive negotiations, was signed in Washington, D.C., in a ceremony attended by Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, and former U.S. President Donald Trump, who served as a key facilitator of the dialogue.
The signing marks the culmination of months of high-level diplomatic efforts involving regional leaders, international mediators, and security experts.
The agreement outlines concrete commitments on regional security, cooperation against armed groups, cross-border trade reforms, and humanitarian protections for civilians affected by decades of instability.
In a joint statement, the leaders emphasized their shared vision to “end cycles of violence and build a foundation for lasting peace, prosperity, and trust between our two nations.”
New Beginning for the Region
The accord includes the establishment of a joint security mechanism designed to stabilize the border region, enhance intelligence sharing, and prevent the movement of armed militias.
It also calls for economic cooperation aimed at expanding infrastructure, increasing legal cross-border commerce, and improving access to social services for border communities.
President Kagame hailed the agreement as “a chance to reset relations and create opportunities our people have long deserved.”
“Our region is far from the headlines, but when the President (Donald J. Trump) saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it,” Kagame noted.
President Tshisekedi described the treaty as “a courageous step toward unity and progress, not only for Congo and Rwanda but for the Great Lakes region as a whole.”
President Trump, who helped host and encourage the negotiations, praised both leaders for showing “exceptional commitment to diplomacy over conflict.”
International Reactions
The international community reacted positively, noting that this agreement, if implemented effectively, could drastically improve regional stability and economic prospects.
Organizations such as the African Union (AU) and United Nations (UN) have pledged support for monitoring and implementation programs.
Hope for the Future
Though challenges remain, the peace accord represents a significant turning point.
With political will and consistent collaboration, leaders hope to finally open a new chapter—one marked not by conflict, but by cooperation, development, and mutual respect.
