Secretary of State Marco Rubio, along with key international figures, participated in the signing of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. This event marks an important step towards resolving a 30-year conflict between the two nations.
The ceremony included speeches from various dignitaries. Senior Advisor Boulos opened by acknowledging those present, including Secretary Rubio, Foreign Minister Wagner of DRC, and Foreign Minister Nduhungirehe of Rwanda. "Thank you for joining for the historic signing," Boulos stated.
Secretary Rubio expressed gratitude to all parties involved in reaching this agreement. He emphasized that while the agreement is a significant milestone, there remains work to be done in terms of implementation. "This was not easy...but we’re very honored you’re both here," he said.
Rubio highlighted President Trump's role in prioritizing peace efforts globally. He noted Trump's interventions in other international conflicts as examples of his commitment to peace.
Foreign Minister Nduhungirehe praised Qatar's central role and expressed Rwanda's support for ongoing mediation efforts with armed groups like M23. He stressed that the heart of this agreement is establishing joint security coordination between DRC and Rwanda.
Foreign Minister Wagner acknowledged multiple contributors to the peace process, including President Trump and Qatari leadership. She emphasized that peace requires respect for international law and human rights.
The signed agreement includes provisions on territorial integrity, disarmament of non-state armed groups, return of refugees, and economic cooperation among others. The accord builds on previous declarations such as one signed on April 25th and aims to establish lasting peace through coordinated security mechanisms.
The signing concludes years of diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing relations between DRC and Rwanda. It signifies a commitment from both countries to move forward collaboratively towards peaceful coexistence.