During a ceremony held at the White House the Office of the President of the United States Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a permanent peace agreement in an event followed closely around the world.

The ceremony was preceded by speeches delivered by U.S. President Donald Trump, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC, and other invited Heads of State.

President Trump opened the event by welcoming the attendees, including Angolan President João Lourenço, who also chairs the African Union; Kenya’s President William Ruto, Chair of the East African Community; Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye; and Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who was assigned mediation responsibilities by the AU.

In his remarks, President Trump said he was pleased to witness such a historic event, describing it as a moment that “writes a new chapter in world history.” He highlighted the decades-long conflict in eastern DRC, noting that for over 30 years the region has suffered recurring violence, with millions of Congolese losing their lives and many more being displaced.

President Kagame, speaking at the signing of the Washington Accord with the DRC on Thursday, underscored Africa’s responsibility in sustaining the peace achieved, stressing that lasting stability must be owned by the region itself.

“If this agreement falters and things do not work out as they are supposed to, the responsibility will not lie with President Trump, but with ourselves. It is up to us in Africa, working with our partners, to consolidate and expand this peace,” he said. He reaffirmed Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to the agreement, noting that the country “will not be found wanting.”

He went on to commend Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi for their roles in bringing the agreement to fruition, revealing that during private discussions, the two leaders expressed mutual respect and affirmed their willingness to cooperate economically.

President Paul Kagame, in his address, thanked President Trump and his administration for introducing a new approach to resolving the long-standing crisis in eastern DRC an approach that, he said, previous efforts had never applied.

He explained that Trump adopted a neutral method that tackled the root causes of the conflict and focused on sustainable solutions, whereas earlier initiatives had largely overlooked the underlying issues.

Kagame emphasized that Rwanda has always sought peaceful and cordial relations with its neighbors, including the DRC, and reiterated the country’s readiness to implement all obligations outlined in the peace agreement.

During a ceremony held at the White House the Office of the President of the United States Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a permanent peace agreement in an event followed closely around the world.

The ceremony was preceded by speeches delivered by U.S. President Donald Trump, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC, and other invited Heads of State.

President Trump opened the event by welcoming the attendees, including Angolan President João Lourenço, who also chairs the African Union; Kenya’s President William Ruto, Chair of the East African Community; Burundi’s President Evariste Ndayishimiye; and Togo’s President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who was assigned mediation responsibilities by the AU.

In his remarks, President Trump said he was pleased to witness such a historic event, describing it as a moment that “writes a new chapter in world history.” He highlighted the decades-long conflict in eastern DRC, noting that for over 30 years the region has suffered recurring violence, with millions of Congolese losing their lives and many more being displaced.

President Kagame, speaking at the signing of the Washington Accord with the DRC on Thursday, underscored Africa’s responsibility in sustaining the peace achieved, stressing that lasting stability must be owned by the region itself.

“If this agreement falters and things do not work out as they are supposed to, the responsibility will not lie with President Trump, but with ourselves. It is up to us in Africa, working with our partners, to consolidate and expand this peace,” he said. He reaffirmed Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to the agreement, noting that the country “will not be found wanting.”

He went on to commend Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi for their roles in bringing the agreement to fruition, revealing that during private discussions, the two leaders expressed mutual respect and affirmed their willingness to cooperate economically.

President Paul Kagame, in his address, thanked President Trump and his administration for introducing a new approach to resolving the long-standing crisis in eastern DRC an approach that, he said, previous efforts had never applied.

He explained that Trump adopted a neutral method that tackled the root causes of the conflict and focused on sustainable solutions, whereas earlier initiatives had largely overlooked the underlying issues.

Kagame emphasized that Rwanda has always sought peaceful and cordial relations with its neighbors, including the DRC, and reiterated the country’s readiness to implement all obligations outlined in the peace agreement.