President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and his Congolese counterpart, Félix Tshisekedi, signed a landmark peace accord in Washington, D.C., on December 4, 2025. The agreement, known as the Washington Accords, was witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump and concludes more than eight months of U.S.-brokered negotiations between the two nations.
The Washington Accords reaffirm the commitment of both countries to implement the Peace Agreement signed on June 27, 2025, and the Declaration of Principles signed on April 25, 2025. They emphasize the need to address security concerns, foster economic integration, and ensure the safe return of displaced persons and refugees.
A key component of the accords is the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), which outlines a roadmap for deeper cooperation. The REIF envisions mutually beneficial partnerships, greater connectivity with international and regional development initiatives, and investment opportunities across sectors such as mining, infrastructure, industrial development, and national‑park management.
The signing of the Washington Accords marks a significant step toward normalizing bilateral relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. Both governments have pledged to work collaboratively with regional and international partners to achieve the goals set out in the accords. The United States played a pivotal role in facilitating the negotiations, with President Trump hosting the ceremony and praising the leadership of Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi for ushering in a new era of peace and cooperation.
Implementation of the Washington Accords is expected to promote stability, economic growth, and development throughout the region, offering a more prosperous future for the peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda and generating far‑reaching benefits for the wider region.
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