The African Union has strongly endorsed a landmark peace accord signed on Friday between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, describing it as a vital step towards ending three decades of conflict in the eastern DRC.
AU chairperson hails Washington Accord
African Union Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf attended the signing ceremony at the United States Institute of Peace in Washington and welcomed the agreement – now known as the Washington Accord – as a major breakthrough.
Youssouf said the deal marked a significant milestone in efforts to bring lasting peace, security and stability to communities that have suffered for decades in the Great Lakes region.
He praised United States President Donald Trump for his personal involvement, saying it created the conditions for the agreement, and thanked Qatar for its diplomatic support to African-led initiatives.
The AU chairperson also recognised Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé and Angolan President João Lourenço for their mediation roles, alongside contributions from the East African Community then EAC and the Southern African Development Community then SADC.
Youssouf urged both countries to fully implement the accord, adding that the African Union Commission is ready to assist in turning commitments into action on the ground.
Ruto calls for faithful implementation
Kenya President William Ruto, who witnessed the signing, described the Washington Accord as the most credible pathway to ending 30 years of war in the region.
Ruto highlighted the heavy human cost of the conflict, saying it has claimed countless lives, displaced families and robbed children of education and childhood.
He said cross-border trade, a lifeline for regional prosperity, has been severely disrupted, deepening poverty across eastern Africa.
The Kenyan leader called the suffering in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo a profound injustice and urged all parties to honour the accord so displaced people can return home and rebuild their lives.
Historic signing in Washington
Friday’s ceremony was the first time Rwanda President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi have signed a bilateral peace deal on foreign soil.
It was only their second face-to-face meeting since fighting restarted in 2022 following the resurgence of the M23 rebel group.
Although full details of the accord have not been released, diplomatic sources say it covers disarmament of armed groups, withdrawal of foreign forces and joint economic projects focused on mineral resources in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
Cautious hope after past failures
Analysts note that several previous peace agreements have collapsed due to lack of trust and failure to address root causes.
However, the direct involvement of the United States and Trump’s public promise to guarantee the deal have raised fresh hope among regional leaders.
Millions of people remain displaced in North Kivu and surrounding areas, and many are watching to see whether this accord will finally bring lasting peace.
One senior African Union official summed up the mood after the ceremony: “The signatures are done. Now the real work begins.”
