A Historic Turn: DR Congo and Rwanda Sign Landmark Declaration of Principles in Washington

In a historic diplomatic breakthrough not seen in over two decades, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Rwanda signed a Declaration of Principles on US soil on 25 April 2025, marking a potential turning point in one of Africa’s most protracted and devastating regional conflicts. Hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, D.C., this high-level event has been heralded as the most significant move towards peace between the two nations since the 2002 Pretoria Accord.

President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC has rightly earned international acclaim for this bold and risk-laden diplomatic step. Undertaken under intense regional and international pressure, this act signals a willingness to move beyond the legacies of war, mistrust, and proxy conflicts that have plagued the Great Lakes region for over 25 years. As the world watched, the Congolese government demonstrated resolve, elevating Tshisekedi’s administration as a proactive force for regional peace and African sovereignty.

Key Participants and Venue Overview

The signing ceremony was presided over by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a key architect of the US diplomatic initiative and a witness to the agreement. Rubio underscored the role of the United States in facilitating “durable peace” and enabling economic development through American investment in responsible mineral supply chains.

Representing the DRC was Minister of Foreign Affairs Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, whose address at the ceremony reaffirmed Congo’s demand for the immediate and verifiable withdrawal of foreign troops, as enshrined in UN Security Council Resolution 2773.

Representing Rwanda was Olivier Nduhungirehe, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, who affirmed Rwanda’s commitment to regional economic integration and security, and acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s administration for shifting the geopolitical landscape towards solutions, not rhetoric.

The event was attended by senior adviser Masad Bulos, diplomats, and envoys from the African Union and the East African Community, highlighting the ceremony’s continental implications.

Factual Breakdown of the Declaration

The Declaration of Principles, as read and signed in Washington, binds both parties to mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, addressing cross-border security threats including armed militias and extremist groups, supporting the voluntary return of displaced persons, promoting economic cooperation including regional value chains, backing the UN mission MONUSCO in its transitional role, and initiating the drafting of a final peace agreement under regional and international supervision.

Crucially, this declaration is not merely symbolic. It is tethered to a renewed diplomatic sequence: peace first, then trust-building, followed by sustainable development, a reversal from previous failed attempts.

Implications for the People

For the Congolese and Rwandan people, particularly the over 7 million internally displaced in the DRC as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), this agreement represents a chance to return home, rebuild lives, and restore dignity. Years of fighting, often centred around mineral-rich territories in North Kivu and Ituri, have left communities shattered, schools destroyed, and local economies in ruins.

If implemented, the declaration will offer stability for returnees in eastern DRC, reduced cross-border tensions for Rwandan border communities, infrastructure reconstruction backed by international partnerships, and increased job creation through transparent mineral trade partnerships, particularly in cobalt, lithium, and coltan.

Public Opinions and Perspectives

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Public opinion in the DRC regarding the Declaration of Principles is marked by cautious optimism tempered with scepticism. While the government’s commitment to peace is acknowledged, many citizens express concerns about the sincerity of Rwanda’s intentions and the potential for meaningful change on the ground.

Rwanda

In Rwanda, the government’s participation in the peace agreement is viewed as a strategic move to enhance regional stability and economic cooperation. However, some Rwandans question the long-term benefits of the agreement and its impact on national interests.

United States

The United States’ role in facilitating the agreement is seen as a significant diplomatic achievement, positioning the country as a key player in promoting peace and stability in the region. Nonetheless, there are concerns that the US may prioritise strategic interests over genuine conflict resolution.

The AFC/M23 Issue and Regional Stability

Perhaps the most contentious issue remains the fate of the AFC/M23 rebel group, which has seized key eastern DRC cities such as Bunagana and Goma. The group, widely alleged to receive support from elements within the Rwandan military, has drawn international condemnation. A 2023 United Nations Group of Experts report confirmed the presence of Rwandan troops in Congolese territory, in violation of sovereignty norms.

This declaration calls for the complete withdrawal of foreign troops, a veiled reference to Rwanda’s alleged involvement. Should this be enforced, M23’s operational space could shrink dramatically.

The Kabila Shadow

In a stunning twist, former Congolese President Joseph Kabila returned to Goma, currently under M23 control, triggering political and legal chaos. The Tshisekedi administration has accused Kabila of high treason and funding M23 operations, freezing his assets and suspending the PPRD party.

Kabila’s move into rebel-held territory during this diplomatic inflection point has been interpreted as a direct threat to national unity. The peace declaration gives Tshisekedi the legal and international framework to demand accountability and reinforce state authority in rebel-controlled zones.

The United States as Peacemaker

The Declaration of Principles is arguably the most consequential US-led African peace initiative since the Sudanese peace process in 2005. Unlike the United Nations, which has struggled with troop inefficiencies and funding gaps in MONUSCO, the US offers what regional actors have long demanded: leverage, investment, and political will.

This moment solidifies US legitimacy in the region not just as a superpower, but as a strategic partner for peace, economic development, and anti-exploitation governance in mineral-rich territories.

Navigating the US–China Rivalry in the Region

The US success in brokering this deal comes amid escalating competition with China in Africa. China remains the largest investor in Congolese mining, accounting for 70% of DRC’s cobalt exports (World Bank, 2024). However, China’s non-interventionist doctrine has rendered it largely irrelevant in conflict resolution.

This agreement places the US at the forefront of shaping the region’s future, challenging China’s economic dominance with a blend of diplomacy and strategic investment.

A Call for Solidarity

This historic Declaration of Principles is not just a legal document or a diplomatic win, it is a call to action. The people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, as well as the broader African continent, stand at the threshold of a new chapter that could redefine peace, sovereignty, and prosperity in the Great Lakes region. However, the road ahead will demand more than governmental promises. It will require active civic engagement, community accountability, and transnational cooperation at every level.

For Congolese citizens, this moment brings renewed hope for a future free from war, displacement, and poverty. For Rwandans, it offers a path to restore regional trust and embrace a future of inclusive growth and peace. The burden of implementation rests not just with foreign ministries or international mediators but with village leaders, civil society groups, youth movements, educators, and faith-based organisations who must help translate political commitment into everyday reality.

The African Union, East African Community, and SADC must ensure that this declaration is not merely a historical footnote but a living framework guiding policy and peacebuilding initiatives across Africa. Regional leaders must learn from the past, where rushed accords and performative dialogues failed, to enforce transparent, verifiable, and accountable mechanisms for peace and reconciliation.

Conclusion: Peace with Purpose

This is a defining moment. The United States, through the leadership of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has demonstrated that it can succeed where others have faltered by aligning geopolitical strategy with genuine peacebuilding. It has offered both the DRC and Rwanda something long absent from international mediation: mutual recognition, credible facilitation, and the chance for regional ownership of their futures.

Yet peace is not born from declarations. It is forged in classrooms rebuilt after war, in families reuniting after years of displacement, and in communities daring to believe again in a future unshackled from history’s burdens. This is a peace that must be earned, not by states alone, but by societies.

Let this moment be more than symbolism. Let it awaken a continental conscience, urging African leaders and citizens alike to build not just peace, but purpose. The signing of the Landmark Declaration of Principles in Washington urges African youth, whose future is most affected by today’s decisions, to stand not as spectators but as participants in shaping the next chapter. Peace is not weakness; it is wisdom. Diplomacy is not delay; it is direction. And unity, above all, is not surrender; it is strength.

Aric Jabari is the Editorial Director of the Sixteenth Council.