President William Ruto has applauded the peace agreement signed between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, describing it as a long-awaited breakthrough that could finally bring an end to decades of violence in eastern Congo.
Speaking during a ceremony hosted by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Ruto called the accord a critical step forward for a region that has endured prolonged conflict and human suffering.
He said the fighting in eastern DRC has not only devastated local communities but also destabilized the broader Great Lakes Region.
The President highlighted the role of sustained diplomacy, including initiatives in Nairobi, Luanda, and Washington, in reaching the deal.
He commended Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame for “their leadership in getting us here” and singled out the United States for its role, stating, “President Trump’s focus and ability to bring people together has been pivotal.”
Ruto acknowledged that lasting peace could unleash significant economic opportunities. He pointed to the region’s abundant natural resources, youthful population, and improving infrastructure as a strong foundation for growth once stability is established.
He also pushed for deeper regional integration, noting that secure borders and predictable governance would reduce investment risks and attract private sector participation. “Governments can’t do it alone. Our job is to create stability. The private sector will do the rest,” he said.
Drawing from Kenya’s experience, Ruto highlighted how public-private partnerships have helped the country expand major highways and increase renewable energy production, now generating more than 92 percent of the nation’s electricity from clean sources.
He added that the National Infrastructure Fund has played a key role in drawing both local and international investors.
Ruto further urged Africa to stop exporting raw materials while importing finished products at higher costs, calling on regional blocs to develop value chains in mining, manufacturing, and agriculture.
While celebrating the DRC-Rwanda accord, the President cautioned that Africa must remain attentive to other crises. He appealed to President Trump for support in ending the worsening humanitarian emergency in Sudan.
The agreement, formally signed on December 4, 2025, as the “Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity,” builds on a preliminary deal reached in June. It focuses on security guarantees, regional economic cooperation, and the return of displaced populations, representing one of the most ambitious peace initiatives in the Great Lakes Region in years.
Brokered by the United States and Qatar, the accord includes several critical commitments. Both countries pledged an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities and respect for each other’s sovereignty, alongside an “irreversible and verifiable” end to state support for non-state armed groups.
Rwanda will withdraw troops from eastern DRC and cease backing the M23 rebels, while DRC will neutralize the FDLR militia.
A Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM) will supervise troop withdrawals, disarmament, and verification, ensuring safe return of refugees and internally displaced persons and guaranteeing unhindered humanitarian access.
The accord also sets the stage for regional economic cooperation. A November framework seeks to harness the region’s mineral wealth—including cobalt, lithium, and tantalum—through joint projects, formalized supply chains with U.S. investment, and shared infrastructure, including hydropower development.
The United States, African Union, and Qatar will serve as guarantors, with the accord’s effectiveness relying on their monitoring and enforcement.
Ruto concluded that the agreement offers a chance for transformation in the Great Lakes Region. “Peace will open the door. Integration will guide us through it. And the private sector will help drive us forward,” he said.
