President Paul Kagame has said the Washington Accords for Peace and Security represent the strongest opportunity yet to resolve the decades-long conflict in eastern DR Congo, crediting U.S. President Donald Trump for injecting what he called “a new and effective dynamism” into the peace process.
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Kagame signed the agreement alongside his Congolese counterpart, President Antoine Félix Tshisekedi, in a ceremony witnessed by President Trump at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace on December 4.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Kagame began by acknowledging the presence of fellow heads of state and government, saying their participation demonstrated the broad support required for the agreement’s success.
He also recognized Qatar for its central role in helping the negotiations reach this stage.
He reserved his strongest praise for President Trump, arguing that the U.S. leader stepped into a mediation effort that few international actors had been willing to take on.
“Our region is far from the headlines,” Kagame said. “But when the President saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it.”
Regional leaders were in attendance for the historic signing, among them Angola’s President João Lourenço, Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye, Kenya’s President William Ruto, and Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo.
The event also drew senior officials from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, including their respective foreign ministers.
Kagame noted that the conflict, now in its 30th year, had endured despite numerous mediation attempts that failed to tackle its root causes. He said Trump’s even-handed and future-oriented approach created space for progress where past initiatives had stalled.
According to Kagame, Trump pushed the process toward practical outcomes rather than allowing negotiations to become “an end in themselves.” He added that this approach was reflected in the work of the U.S. diplomatic team, singling out Secretary Marco Rubio and senior advisor Massad Boulos for “special appreciation.”
“We would not be here today without their efforts,” he said. “And as a result, we have the clearest and most viable path forward that we have ever had.”
Kagame stressed that the accords contain all the elements needed to definitively resolve the conflict, but warned that their success will depend on regional commitment, not external actors.
“If this agreement falters and things don’t work out as they are supposed to, the responsibility will not lie with President Trump, but with ourselves,” he said. “It is up to us in Africa, working with our partners, to consolidate and expand this peace.”
He acknowledged that the implementation phase will face challenges, but affirmed Rwanda’s readiness to uphold its part.
“Rwanda, I know, will not be found wanting,” Kagame said. “Our only objective is and has always been for our country to be safe and secure after having endured so much tragedy.”
Kagame expressed hope that the accords mark the beginning of a new chapter for the region. “We now only want to look forward in confident expectation of a prosperous and stable future,” he said.
Prince Ruzigana / The Kaminuza Star