Joint Declaration by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on the Occasion of Establishing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity

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Country/entity: Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Joint Declaration by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on the Occasion of Establishing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity
Date: 4 Dec 2025
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Congo Civil Wars (1996 - )
The overthrow of the long-term dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by a rebel Tutsi army backed by Uganda and Rwanda in 1997 acted as a catalyst for a war with regional dimensions, mainly fought in the eastern Kivu provinces. The conflict escalated in 1998, when President Laurent Kabila, then backed by Zimbabwean and Angolan troops, ordered Rwanda and Uganda to leave. After Kabila’s assassination in 2001, his son Joseph took over the presidency and won in the 2006 democratic elections.

In the eastern provinces, Tutsi-led militias, mainly organised in the National Congress for the Defense of the People (CNDP), fought the remnants of the Rwandan Hutu force FDLR, with further involvement of Rwandan and Ugandan troops. Other regionally operating militia groups, like the Lord’s Resistance Army from Northern Uganda, the so-called Mai Mai groups or guerrilla outfits like the March 23 Movement (M23) further contributed, and still contribute, to the complexity of the situation in eastern DRC.

Following Joseph Kabila's departure in 2019, his successor Félix Tshisekedi faced renewed instability as the M23 rebel group, dormant since 2013, resumed operations in late 2021 with substantial Rwandan support. In January 2025, M23 forces backed by Rwandan troops captured the regional capital Goma in the most serious escalation since the Second Congo War. This prompted U.S. mediation under President Trump, leading to talks in Qatar in March 2025 and a preliminary peace agreement signed in Washington on June 27, 2025. The Washington Accords were formally signed by Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame on December 4, 2025, committing Rwanda to withdraw troops and cease M23 support while the DRC pledged to neutralize the FDLR and establish regional economic integration with significant U.S. commercial involvement. However, fighting continues as of late 2025, with both sides accused of violating commitments.
Stage: Framework/substantive - partial
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: DRC: the Doha Track for Eastern DRC
Parties: President Félix Tshisekedi (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
President Paul Kagame (Republic of Rwanda)
Third parties: President Donald J. Trump (United States of America)
Description: This declaration establishes the "Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity" as the collective framework encompassing previous bilateral agreements between the DRC and Rwanda, including the Peace Agreement of June 27, 2025, the Declaration of Principles of April 25, 2025, and the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF). The two presidents reaffirm their commitment to peaceful relations, mutual respect, cooperation, addressing security concerns, fostering economic integration, and promoting the safe return of displaced persons and refugees. President Trump of the United States served as witness and host, with both leaders expressing gratitude for his role in advancing the normalization of bilateral relations.

Agreement document: CD_RW_251204_Joint Declaration on Establishing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Source of document: https://www.state.gov/joint-declaration-by-the-democratic-republic-of-the-congo-and-the-republic-of-rwanda-on-the-occasion-of-establishing-the-washington-accords-for-peace-and-prosperity

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Rhetorical
declare our shared determination to address security concerns, foster economic integration, and promote the safe return of displaced persons and refugees;
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: No specific mention.
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: No specific mention.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: No specific mention.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Socio-economic development
declare our shared determination to address security concerns, foster economic integration, and promote the safe return of displaced persons and refugees;
and express our steadfast dedication to partner on the development and economic integration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda to allow people in the region to realize peace, stability, and a more prosperous future.
Our countries signed the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) to chart a future of mutually beneficial partnerships, greater connectivity with international and regional economic development initiatives, and investment opportunities across sectors, including in mining, infrastructure, industrial development, and national park management.
Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Infrastructure and reconstruction
Our countries signed the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) to chart a future of mutually beneficial partnerships, greater connectivity with international and regional economic development initiatives, and investment opportunities across sectors, including in mining, infrastructure, industrial development, and national park management.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: Our countries signed the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) to chart a future of mutually beneficial partnerships, greater connectivity with international and regional economic development initiatives, and investment opportunities across sectors, including in mining, infrastructure, industrial development, and national park management.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: Our countries signed the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) to chart a future of mutually beneficial partnerships, greater connectivity with international and regional economic development initiatives, and investment opportunities across sectors, including in mining, infrastructure, industrial development, and national park management.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: declare our shared determination to address security concerns, foster economic integration, and promote the safe return of displaced persons and refugees;
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: No specific mention.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: No specific mention.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: No specific mention.
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: No specific mention.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: Witnessed by President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, we reaffirm our commitment to implementation of the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda signed on June 27, 2025, and the Declaration of Principles signed on April 25, 2025.
We express deep gratitude to President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America for his gracious hospitality in hosting this important convening and for his significant contributions to advancing the normalization of bilateral relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda.
Witnessed by:
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
President Donald J. Trump
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.

Joint Declaration by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on the Occasion of Establishing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity

We, the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of Rwanda, having met in Washington, D.C., United States of America, on December 4, 2025, declare the following:

Witnessed by President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America, we reaffirm our commitment to implementation of the Peace Agreement Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda signed on June 27, 2025, and the Declaration of Principles signed on April 25, 2025.

We affirm our unwavering commitment to peaceful relations, mutual respect, and cooperation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda;

declare our shared determination to address security concerns, foster economic integration, and promote the safe return of displaced persons and refugees;

resolve to work collaboratively with regional and international partners toward the implementation of this Declaration and the realization of its goals;

and express our steadfast dedication to partner on the development and economic integration of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda to allow people in the region to realize peace, stability, and a more prosperous future.

Our countries signed the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) to chart a future of mutually beneficial partnerships, greater connectivity with international and regional economic development initiatives, and investment opportunities across sectors, including in mining, infrastructure, industrial development, and national park management.

Today we recognize the Declaration of Principles, Peace Agreement, and REIF, together with any implementing agreements or arrangements, as the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and express our confidence that these Accords are a strong foundation for mutual respect and the advancement of peace in the region.

We express deep gratitude to President Donald J. Trump of the United States of America for his gracious hospitality in hosting this important convening and for his significant contributions to advancing the normalization of bilateral relations between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda.

The present Declaration was signed on December 4, 2025 in duplicate, in the English and French languages, in Washington, D.C., United States of America.

FOR THE

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO:

President Félix Tshisekedi

FOR THE

REPUBLIC OF RWANDA:

President Paul Kagame

Witnessed by:

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

President Donald J. Trump

Joint Declaration by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda on the Occasion of Establishing the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity

Groups

Gender

State definition

Governance

Power sharing

Human rights and equality

Rights related issues

Rights institutions

Justice sector reform

Socio-economic reconstruction

Land, property and environment

Security sector

Transitional justice

Implementation

Source agreement