Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi will meet in Washington on December 4, 2025, for the long-anticipated signing of a peace agreement.
This an event the White House hopes will mark a turning point in one of Africa’s most volatile security crises. U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to preside over the meeting.
The accord is designed to de-escalate years of hostility between Kigali and Kinshasa and chart a path toward a durable solution to the conflict that has destabilized eastern Congo for decades.
The Washington summit comes as fighting between the FARDC and the AFC/M23 coalition enters its fourth year, with the humanitarian and security toll deepening across North and South Kivu.
Diplomatic insiders say the U.S. has significantly intensified pressure on both governments in recent weeks, signaling that Washington wants to play a direct role in reshaping the regional security landscape.
According to sources, the Trump administration has warned both sides that continued military brinkmanship is no longer an option and that political dialogue must take precedence.
President Kagame, speaking to journalists on November 27, confirmed that the meeting with Tshisekedi is “possible and a welcome step toward resolving the region’s security challenges,” noting that two earlier attempts to convene talks in October and November fell through.
Analysts view the summit as one of the most consequential regional diplomatic engagements of 2025. With international actors increasingly alarmed by the trajectory of the conflict, the U.S. is positioning itself as a central mediator capable of influencing both capitals.
Key discussion points—including the structure of the peace deal, the obligations for each side, and Washington’s envisioned role in enforcing a new security framework for eastern DRC—are expected to dominate the agenda when leaders meet next week.
