Government of Rwanda Spokesperson, Yolande Makolo has described the Washington Agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as an exceptional opportunity to restore lasting peace and stability in the region.
Speaking in an interview with NEWSMAX, Makolo said the signing of the agreement, scheduled for Thursday, December 4, 2025, represents a significant step toward ending insecurity in eastern DRC and creating conditions for sustainable cooperation between the two countries.
Makolo noted that Rwanda welcomes every effort aimed at bringing peace to the region.
“It is very important. This is the best chance for peace, for prosperity that our two countries and the region have,” she said.
She commended the leadership of President Donald Trump for its role in mediating the process, emphasizing that the U.S. administration had invested substantial effort in bringing the parties together and addressing obstacles that stood in the way of peace implementation.
According to Makolo, the United States is well positioned to help both sides achieve the objective of dismantling armed groups operating in eastern Congo—one of Rwanda’s major security concerns. She stressed that eliminating these groups, particularly the FDLR, is central to restoring security on both sides of the border.
The Rwanda–DRC agreement will be signed on Thursday at 15:00 GMT, which is 17:00 Kigali time, marking the culmination of extensive mediation efforts by Qatar and the United States. After months of shuttle diplomacy aimed at rebuilding trust between Kigali and Kinshasa, the signing is expected to lay the foundation for addressing long-standing issues that have destabilized the region.
The Washington Agreement of June 27, 2025, sets out key commitments for both countries. Among them is the obligation to respect each other’s territorial integrity and refrain from any direct or indirect support to activities that could destabilize the other state. Both sides are required to prevent armed groups from operating on their territory with the intent to undermine the neighboring country’s security.
The agreement also outlines joint efforts to dismantle and permanently eliminate the FDLR, along with the removal of defensive measures Rwanda had previously adopted in response to the militia’s threat. It calls for a complete halt to any form of government support—direct or indirect—to armed groups, whether from state institutions or affiliated entities.
Rwanda and the DRC also commit to supporting the ongoing political dialogue between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23 in Doha, Qatar, aimed at finding a lasting solution to the eastern Congo conflict.
On the economic front, the agreement introduces a new framework for managing the mineral trade, enhancing transparency, fighting corruption, and strengthening governance. It further includes plans for joint development projects in areas such as park management, energy, Kivu resource governance, and other mutually beneficial initiatives.
The signing of the Washington Agreement represents a major diplomatic milestone, raising hope that both countries can turn the page on years of mistrust and instability and chart a new path toward peace and shared prosperity.
