WASHINGTON, D.C. – Foreign Ministers of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a draft peace agreement in Washington today, and President Donald Trump was there to make it official, but the United Nations says tensions and violence continue to rage between the African nations, and aid to the region is scarce after the U.S. ceased aid under DOGE.
On June 27, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Senior Advisor Massad Boulos hosted the Ministerial in the Colin L. Powell Treaty Room for the signing of the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Rwanda. Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner signed on behalf of the Government of the DRC, and Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe signed on behalf of the Government of Rwanda, while Secretary Rubio signed as a witness. The signing ceremony was attended by African Union Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Togolese Foreign Minister Robert Dussey, on behalf of the African Union, and Qatari Minister of State Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi as observers.
The Ministerial signing of the Peace Agreement marks a historic milestone in the pursuit of peace and prosperity for the DRC, Rwanda, and the broader Great Lakes region of Africa. Building upon the Declaration of Principles signed by both parties on April 25, 2025, the agreement reflects months of sustained negotiations, led by Senior Advisor Boulos. These discussions addressed longstanding issues of governance, security, and economic integration and laid the foundation for a comprehensive agreement that confronts the root causes of a protracted conflict and supports a sustainable path toward regional peace and stability.
The Peace Agreement entered into force upon signature, and the United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting its full and timely implementation. In close coordination with the African Union, Qatar, and Togo, the United States will continue to engage both parties to ensure implementation of the obligations laid out in the agreement.
In the coming weeks, we look forward hosting a Summit of the Heads of State at the White House to further advance peace, stability, and mutual economic prosperity.
President Donald Trump also offered remarks at beginning of Rwanda Democratic Republic of Congo peace agreement signing.
“This is a tremendous breakthrough. In a few short months we’ve now achieved peace between India and Pakistan, Israel and Iran and the DRC and Rwanda.”
President Trump full remarks at beginning of Rwanda Democratic Republic of Congo peace agreement signing.
“This is a tremendous breakthrough. In a few short months we’ve now achieved peace between India and Pakistan, Israel and Iran and the DRC and Rwanda.” pic.twitter.com/44PsDFxbhw
— CSPAN (@cspan) June 27, 2025
However, today, the United Nations reported that the situation is far from stable between the African nations.
“Tensions persist in the DRC, both frontlines and negotiation positions are shifting.
“A day after NATO Member States agreed to a five per cent increase in funding for their collective defence, investment in the humanitarian work of the UN and its partners is at rock bottom. In DRC, a full 70 per cent of UN aid programmes was historically funded by the United States – “amazing generosity over decades” – Mr. Fletcher noted. But today “we’re seeing most of that disappearing”, he insisted, forcing the humanitarian community to make “brutal choices, life-and-death choices” about who receives help. For these women – the survivors of sexual violence, for the kids who told me they needed water, for the communities that told me they needed shelter, medicine, these cuts are real right now and people are dying because of the cuts,” the top UN official explained.”
Under the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency, foreign aid has been halted or drastically cut back since January, and there is no appetite in Washington to spend more taxpayer dollars on helping the suffering people of the World.