President Donald Trump formalized a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda, ending decades of violence and opening new economic cooperation.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
President Donald Trump signed a landmark peace agreement Thursday alongside Democratic Republic of the Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and Republic of Rwanda President Paul Kagame, formally ending years of conflict between the two nations. The accord, known as the Washington Accords, was signed at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington, D.C.
“In this holy season we prepare to celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, we have come to the U.S. Institute of Peace, to sign a historic agreement that will end one of the longest-running conflicts anywhere in the world, with far more than ten million people killed,” Trump said.
Watch the moment here.
Trump described the accord as a “very detailed, powerful agreement” establishing a permanent ceasefire, disarmament of non-state forces, provisions for refugee return, and accountability for war crimes. It also creates an economic framework aimed at long-term regional stability.
See more from the ceremony.
“The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have agreed to more closely integrate their economies with each other rather than fighting,” Trump said, adding that the U.S. will send major companies to participate in resource development under new bilateral agreements.
Kagame and Tshisekedi both credited Trump for taking personal initiative to mediate the deal.
“The biggest word of thanks goes to President Donald Trump. No one was asking President Trump to take up this task,” Kagame said. “Our region is far from the headlines, but when the President saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it.”
Tshisekedi called the Washington Accords “a new perspective, a new outlook” for the region, offering “a new era of friendship, cooperation, and prosperity.”
The signing was attended by several African leaders, including Angolan President João Lourenço, Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, Kenyan President William Ruto, Togolese leader Faure Gnassingbé, Ugandan Vice President Jessica Alupo, and Qatari foreign ministers. Trump also thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio and U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs Massad Boulos for their roles in brokering the accord.
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