Washington, DC — SENIOR ADVISOR BOULOS: Please be half of me in welcoming Secretary Rubio, International Minister Wagner, and International Minister Nduhungirehe. (Applause.) Secretary Rubio, International Minister Wagner, International Minister Nduhungirehe, Minister of State Al Khulaifi, African Union Chairperson Youssouf, International Minister Dussey, ambassadors, members of Congress, renowned associates, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen: Thank you for joining for the historic signing of a whole peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda.
In a 2nd, Secretary Rubio and the foreign ministers of the DRC and Rwanda will signal an agreement that builds on the Declaration of Solutions signed here on April twenty fifth. With their signatures, the peace agreement will enter into force, bringing an cease to a 30-three hundred and sixty five days battle and atmosphere each international locations and their of us on a path in the direction of peace and prosperity. This would possibly perhaps now not be possible without the management and vision of President Trump. He has made peace a priority of his administration, and now we agree with taken up his call to accept a restful resolution to this battle.
I’d must witness the tireless work that each foreign ministers and their groups build into reaching this agreement. I’d furthermore must witness the partnership from the Authorities of Qatar, who is driving in the direction of a parallel agreement between the Authorities of the DRC and the M23 armed neighborhood. In addition, I’d must acknowledge that the work done beneath the auspices of the African Union used to be serious for reaching this agreement. We undercover agent forward to coordinating with the AU chairperson and Togolese president, who is serving as the AU facilitator, to make certain implementation of the agreement.
Lastly, I’d must witness the crew here at the Division of State who facilitated the discussions and helped e book each sides in the direction of this agreement.
I will now flip to Secretary Rubio for opening remarks.
SECRETARY RUBIO: Thank you, and I’m honored all of you is possible to be here lately. I’m honored to be joined by my counterparts from the Democratic Republic of Congo and from Rwanda, and the arduous work you each build in to originate this happen. This used to be now not easy. And there’s tranquil work to be done, obviously, in terms of implementation, nevertheless we’re very honored you’re each here, and it’s been an honor to work with each of you.
We agree with got plenty of of us to thank: obviously, the great crew here at the Division of State, who did a great job; Mr. Boulos, who did a gorgeous job – he’s been on the job now about 10 weeks, and he’s jumped in each save this and in fact labored it arduous. And to boot you presumably did a great job and we’re grateful to you for all of your work. Clearly, this would possibly perhaps also now not agree with came about without such terminate associates and companions in the African Union and in Qatar, who we’re working plenty lately with, Qatar. We’re doing plenty of things with you guys, and also you’ve been very instrumental. And the African Union – without you this couldn’t agree with came about. I mean, you made – build all people together.
I quit must witness my – after I sing veteran colleagues, it wasn’t six months ago I was tranquil a senator, nevertheless they’re here now, Senators Rounds and Risch. Senator Risch is the chairman of the International Relations Committee and a truly terminate perfect friend of mine, and he’s obviously watched this disclose very closely, he’s made it a priority; and Senator Rounds, who’s been talking to me about this earlier than I was even nominated to the status and even at some point of the nomination assignment. And now we agree with others who weren’t in a state to originate it lately that I furthermore must witness: Senator Coons and Booker. There’s been plenty of interest on this, and we’re grateful to all of them. They had been invited, nevertheless I assume they agree with stuff going on in the Senate, as you perceive, and – nevertheless we’re grateful to each of you who are here, and it’s instrumental.
Right here’s important 2nd after 30 years of struggle. President Trump is a president of peace. He in fact does prefer peace. He prioritizes it above all else. We noticed his intervention in the battle between India and Pakistan. We noticed his intervention most lately as a number of days ago, in a truly perilous struggle, correct, a truly perilous struggle that would possibly perhaps perhaps also agree with in fact spiraled out of management. And his intervention made that possible. And there are other locations that we want to undercover agent this.
Nevertheless we’re very hooked in to this, and we are in a position to’t wait to agree with the heads of state, the presidents of the respective international locations, here in Washington in a number of weeks to finalize the whole protocol and agreement. Nevertheless lately is a important step in that path, and we’re grateful with the scheme to host it here at the Division of State.
And honest pondering – we judge usually about peace. It’s now not nearly about ending wars; it’s about – and it’s now not nearly about saving lives. It’s about allowing of us to stay. It’s about allowing of us to now agree with dreams and hopes for a nearer life, for prosperity, for economic alternative, for household reunification – for all of the things that originate life price living. Those things change into very unlikely when there’s struggle and when there’s battle.
So we’re grateful to agree with played the role we’ve played. We acknowledge and witness there’s tranquil more work to be done. Nevertheless we thanks all very basic for being a element of this historic and important day. Right here’s in fact why I needed this job, or why I embraced this job so basic, is moments love this. Right here’s the – in essence the Division of State is de facto the department of peace. It’s designed to raise of us together, each in our relations with other international locations, nevertheless to the extent we are in a position to use the stature and the influence of the United States, to raise others together. It makes the world a nearer status. And I in point of fact judge that when there’s peace in the world among associates who would possibly perhaps perhaps also honest agree with disagreements and battle, it does originate wait on The united states – it does wait on originate The united states stronger and safer and more prosperous. It presents us of us we – companions we are in a position to quit enterprise with and companions that we are in a position to work with to take care of insecurity and threats to our national security and to our collective national security.
So we’re grateful to each of you. I do know how arduous this used to be and how basic work went into it. And all people is conscious of there’s more work to be done. And – nevertheless we’re grateful to agree with you ever here lately. We’re honored to be a element of this. We’re angry to be a element of it. And again, I quit must thank every person here in our Africa Bureau and at the Division of State, and all over again, our celeb there, Mr. Boulos. What quit you’ll want to must quit next after you’re done with this? (Laughter.) Huh?
SENIOR ADVISOR BOULOS: Sudan. Sudan. (Laughter.)
SECRETARY RUBIO: Sudan, yeah. Critical. The truth is very, very valuable, and also you’re very fascinated about that as smartly. So what are you guys doing this weekend, Qatar? You guys must work a tiny bit, huh? (Laughter.) Yeah, we’re grateful to all of you. Thank you. Thank you.
SENIOR ADVISOR BOULOS: Okay. Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I now flip to the foreign minister of Rwanda for remarks.
FOREIGN MINISTER NDUHUNGIREHE: Thank you. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission Mahamoud Youssouf, Minister of State Mohammed Al Khulaifi of Qatar, my colleague Minister of International Affairs of Togo Robert Dussey, senators, expensive colleagues: Appropriate afternoon. Let me initiate by expressing our steady appreciation to President Donald Trump for his private engagement in facilitating this historic agreement. We furthermore lengthen our gratitude to the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, Particular Advisor Massad Boulos, and the whole State Division crew. Your dedication has been critical.
This agreement is the product of months of coordinated efforts by a couple of actors. It’s terribly valuable to tell that the state of Qatar has played a truly central role. Certainly, the opening which ended in lately’s agreement began in Doha. We can lend our corpulent strengthen in the weeks forward to Qatar’s mediation efforts, led by Minister of State Mohammed Al Khulaifi, to acquire a peace agreement between the DRC Authorities and the AFC/M23. This assignment is already smartly underway. This present day’s agreement furthermore builds on the African-led peace initiatives, which is possible to be ably led by the African Union facilitator, President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.
The heart of this peace agreement is the risk to attach a standing joint security coordination mechanism between DRC and Rwanda. The first utter of enterprise is to initiate imposing of the belief of operations for the neutralization of the FDLR, to be accompanied by a lifting of Rwanda’s defensive measures. Right here’s grounded in the dedication made here for an irreversible and verifiable cease to state strengthen for FDLR and associated militias. That is the bedrock of peace and security in our status.
FDLR is not any peculiar militia. It’s the remnant of the forces which dedicated the genocide towards the Tutsi in 1994 in which 1,000,000 of us had been killed.
With this agreement, we furthermore dedicated to facilitate the return of refugees in our respective territories, with the strengthen of the UNHCR. Creating the situations for the safe and dignified return of refugees is foremost to construct an everlasting peace.
We furthermore took to beef up economic cooperation, together with with American corporations and merchants. Shared snarl and sinister-border cooperation will unlock tangible dividends for every our international locations. We must at all times acknowledge that there is a great deal of uncertainty in our status and previous, as a consequence of many outdated agreements haven’t been implemented, and there is absolute confidence that the road forward is perhaps now not easy. Nevertheless with the continued strengthen of the United States and other companions, we judge that a turning point has been reached. Rwanda stands prepared to work with the DRC to grunt on our joint commitments.
To quit, enable me to all over again recount Rwanda’s appreciation to all who agree with contributed to this milestone. Thank you. (Applause.)
SENIOR ADVISOR BOULOS: Thank you, Mr. Minister. I now flip to the International Minister of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
FOREIGN MINISTER WAGNER: Mr. Secretary of State, the Honorable Senator Marco Rubio; Dr. Massad Boulos, Senior Advisor for African Affairs; His Excellency Mr. Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission; His Excellency Mr. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of International Affairs of the Republic of Rwanda; His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Khulaifi, Minister of State at the Ministry of International Affairs of the State of Qatar; His Excellency Mr. Robert Dussey, Minister of International Affairs of the Republic of Togo – sorry – senators, excellencies, renowned associates; and to all Congolese electorate following this 2nd wherever you are going to be in a state to be.
Two months ago on this very room, we signed a declaration of guidelines, a first tangible step to smash with impasse and chart a path in the direction of peace. This present day, that risk takes form and sustained efforts agree with attain to fruition. With this peace agreement, we open a brand new chapter – one that calls now not honest for dedication nevertheless for the braveness to undercover agent it by plot of. By signing this agreement, we reaffirm a easy truth: Peace is a risk nevertheless furthermore a accountability to admire international legislation, to uphold human rights, and to offer protection to the sovereignty of states. Individuals that agree with suffered the most are watching. They’re anticipating this agreement to be revered, and we is now not going to fail them.
This agreement builds on the efforts of many. First and most fundamental, we want to recount our steady gratitude to His Excellency President Donald J. Trump for his commitments to this peace assignment. His management kept this assignment focused and purpose-oriented, and that from day one. This used to be further characterised by the quality and unravel of the whole U.S. crew, illustrated by the serious strengthen of Senator Rubio and Dr. Boulos. We salute His Excellency President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo for selecting the more difficult path: a peace rooted in notion and in the dignity of our of us. We thank President João Lourenço of Angola, facilitator of the Luanda Job, for laying serious foundations.
We’re furthermore grateful to the State of Qatar and to his highness the emir, whose management used to be instrumental in convening the first enlighten meeting between our two heads of states in March, a bold step that laid the groundwork for dialogue. Qatar has since facilitated further talks in Doha and remained a principled and genuine partner at some point of this peace effort. The African Union by plot of its chairperson and the appointed facilitator, His Excellency Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, agree with anchored this assignment in African ownership. Lastly, we thank the negotiating crew of each the DRC and Rwanda for their perseverance and devotion.
This 2nd has been long in coming. This would possibly perhaps perhaps also honest now not erase the concern, nevertheless it will initiate to revive what battle has robbed many ladies, males, and children of: safety, dignity, and a plot of future. For the Great Lakes status, it offers a uncommon likelihood to flip the page, now not honest with phrases nevertheless with genuine commerce on the ground. Some wounds will heal, nevertheless they would possibly perhaps perhaps now not ever fully fade. They would possibly perhaps perhaps also honest develop over, nevertheless the pores and skin will with no waste in sight dwell skinny and veteran, and deep down the flesh will tranquil undergo in mind. At times we can feel numb and at others we can feel a sudden pang that will remind us of what used to be lost with no waste in sight. The scars we feature on our our bodies and in our souls will remind us of what must now not at all be forgotten, repeated, or accredited.
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About a days ago in Kinshasa, a coalition of ladies’s organizations shared a obvious message with me: (In French.) We quit now not prefer a peace fashioned by elites. We prefer a peace that is genuine, lived, shared, and constructed with us. To our fellow electorate in the east, this agreement used to be signed with you in mind. It presents for the disengagement of military, the safety of civilians, the return of displaced persons and of refugees beneath authorities authority, and establishes a follow-up mechanism to make certain compliance. These are possible to be now not honest phrases on paper. They must now be translated into circulate, justice, accountability, and political will. This peace agreement is the starting point, now not the cease purpose. It must now be adopted by disengagement, justice, and the return of displaced families and the return of refugees each to the DRC and Rwanda.
Nonetheless, no textual articulate, on the other hand moderately negotiated, can raise by itself the weight of peace. I tranquil undergo in mind on the day we signed the Declaration of Solutions, a member of the U.S. crew acknowledged if it had been easy, it can perhaps were done a truly long time ago. That holds perfect now more than ever. What now we agree with signed is handiest as stable as our will to implement it. We, the DRC, will undoubtedly and resolutely battle for this agreement to be revered, now not with our phrases nevertheless with our deeds. This present day now we agree with chosen peace. What matters now would possibly perhaps perhaps be that we shield it and video display to our of us and to the world that even in a status marked by deep scars, dignity and cooperation can prevail.
So now our work truly begins. Thank you. (Applause.)
SENIOR ADVISOR BOULOS: Thank you, Madam Minister. It’s now my honor to ask the parties to signal the peace agreement, to be witnessed by Secretary Rubio. The agreement being signed entails provisions on the admire for territorial integrity and the prohibition of hostilities; the disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration of non-state armed groups; the institution of a joint security coordination mechanism; the facilitation of the return of refugees and internally displaced persons; to boot to humanitarian accept entry to, the reaffirmation of MONUSCO’s mandate, and the institution of a regional economic integration framework.
The agreement furthermore entails an annex on the functioning of the joint security coordination mechanism
and the corpulent textual articulate of the belief of operations of the harmonized idea for the neutralization of the FDLR and disengagement of forces/lifting of defensive measures by Rwanda, which used to be agreed to beneath the auspices of the Luanda Job on October 31st, 2024, and adopted by the foreign ministers on November 25, 2024.
With the parties’ signatures lately, the agreement immediately enters into force.
(The agreement used to be signed.)
Thank you very basic. Congratulations.
(Applause.) This concludes the court cases. Kindly dwell seated whereas the parties move.
