U.S. Secretary Rubio hosts a Declaration of Principles signing ceremony between Democratic Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe
The peace process between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo entered a critical new phase on April 25, 2025, with the signing of a “Declaration of Principles” in Washington, D.C. What has happened since, and what should you expect in the coming weeks? We explain.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio convened the signing ceremony between Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and DR Congo counterpart Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner.
It was attended by high-level U.S. officials including Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau, Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos, and Ambassador Troy Fitrell. The event marked a formal U.S.-facilitated step toward easing decades of tension and conflict in the eastern DRC.
The declaration outlines a shared pathway to peace, stability, and integrated economic development in the conflict-affected region.
Designed to complement existing regional frameworks, the agreement aims to address the presence of armed groups, improve cross-border relations, and unlock the region’s development potential.
The U.S. has pledged continued engagement to ensure the principles of the agreement are upheld and to support both countries in their pursuit of lasting peace.
This development follows a series of diplomatic advances, including a ceasefire agreement between Kinshasa and the M23/AFC rebels during talks in Qatar, and earlier direct discussions between Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi also hosted in Doha.
Following the Washington signing, both foreign ministers held one-on-one consultations with Deputy Secretary Landau to discuss next steps.
With strong international backing and renewed political will on both sides, the Washington-led mediation is emerging as a credible framework for resolving one of the region’s most enduring and complex conflicts.
Here is the cleaned-up version as requested, with hashtags and highlights removed:
What is really happening going forward?
On May 2, both Rwanda and the DRC submitted their proposals on the draft peace agreement to the United States.
It is Washington, specifically the team of Marco Rubio, that now holds the responsibility to arbitrate and merge the proposals.
Here is the set timeline:
- First Phase: Two weeks (until May 15) for the American team to work on a joint agreement based on the two documents submitted by Kigali and Kinshasa.
- Second Phase: Week of May 15, a meeting between Rwandan and Congolese experts in the United States to amend and refine the draft.
- Third Phase: Around May 21, the foreign ministers of both countries will meet in Washington to validate the final version.
- Final Phase: Week of June 15, President Kagame and President Tshisekedi are expected to officially sign the peace agreement in Washington, in the presence of:
- U.S. President Donald Trump
- Kenya President William Ruto (representing the EAC)
- Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa (for the SADC)
- Togo President Faure Gnassingbé, (for the AU)
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio
- Representatives from Qatar and France
