Washington, DC – Secretary Rubio: Thank you for being here today. That’s an honor to be here with my counterpart, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This is a declaration that establishes a fundamental understanding of regional governance, security and economic frameworks, ends the battle and enables the region to reach its full potential.
The US hosts signing the Declaration of Principles between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Government of Rwandan
In the eastern part of the Democratic Republic, there was a 30-year conflict. Durable peace and long-term economic development are not easy, but it is important. And with both my counterparts here, it marks the beginning of a strong commitment to have the conversations necessary to reach the resolution.
I am proud to work for peace, stable global peace, and for the president who has made this administration’s priorities. Today is proof of that. He wants to see peaceful resolutions in many parts of the world, but he wants to see peaceful resolutions here. We want to play a constructive, productive and important important role in ensuring that it happens. And durable peace in the Great Lakes region opens the door for greater America and broader Western investment, which brings economic opportunities and prosperity. It also helps to turn President Trump’s prosperity agenda to the world. As they call it, it is an advantage for all involved, for the United States, for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and for Rwanda, for both parties.
Our companies are excellent corporate citizens, American companies, ensuring a responsible and reliable supply chain for things like important minerals that will also serve local governments, partners and allies. This economic development, combined with durable peace, I think durable peace will come before economic development. It is impossible to do without peace. It also allows millions of displaced people to return home, making new economic opportunities that have escaped generations a safer community.
We need to recognize that the African Union and the local economic community in Africa are doing incredible work and that they will unite political parties and lay the foundation for these consultations. The government here focuses on energizing these efforts. So we will be in close contact with our African Union partners to make sure we can make this happen and ensure that this better future reaches everyone.
I would especially like to thank our senior adviser, Mr. Boros, and his counterparts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda for their vision and their hard work. Today is a step towards building a peaceful and prosperous Great Lakes region, and we look forward to working with all involved in achieving this goal. thank you.
Foreign Minister Wagner: Perfect, thank you. Mr. Secretary –
Secretary Rubio: My apology. I should have relied on you – I apologize.
Foreign Minister Wagner: No worries. (Laughter.)
Secretary Rubio: I was looking for it –
Foreign Minister Wagner: No worries. thank you. Secretary of State, Senator Marco Rubio, his Excellency, Mr. Olivier Ndungere, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Rwanda, excellence, distinguished guest, women, gentlemen: Today is not the end, but the necessary step to peace with determination and purpose. This moment has particular weight for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Goma, Bukavu, and beyond, the reality of evacuation, anxiety and difficulties continue. For us, the urgency of this initiative is not theoretical. It’s human.
This declaration of principle is signed not as a symbolic gesture but as a political commitment. A resolution that can verify the withdrawal of all foreign troops from the DRC’s territorial territory, which was established in international law and has recently been echoed in UN Security Council Resolution 2773. We must make clear that peace must come first in the Great Lakes region, then a reconstruction of trust follows, and then a careful reopening of the path to meaningful bilateral cooperation only if the conditions are correct. There was too much past effort as the sequence was ignored and accountability was postponed. Peace and development cannot be relied solely on goodwill. They must be built on responsibility, clear commitments, measurable timelines, and outcomes of violations. This is the only way to restore credibility not only between nations but with those waiting for peace to become a reality.
Signing today’s declaration of principles has renewed hope by our ancestors. It reflects the US’s resolve to complement and support regional and international efforts. This initiative brings accountability and draws harsh lessons from past efforts that have not been realized. The good news is that there is hope for peace. Real news, peace must be achieved, it requires seriousness, transparency, integrity. Welcome to American leaders. The United States is a country that has demonstrated solid support, consistent principles, and resolved them in a multilateral forum, especially within the UN Security Council.
Secretary, Senator Rubio, I would like to express my deep gratitude to us. Dr. Boulos also brought nuance, depth and humanity to this process with your extensive consultation throughout the region. Your presence emphasizes that diplomacy must listen, understand the living experiences of the people most affected, and seek durable solutions. The Democratic Republic of the Congo recognizes and cherishes this involvement in the United States. It is also encouraged by US support initiatives to promote safe mineral value chains and comprehensive economic growth. These efforts reaffirm that peace and prosperity are inseparable. Each step to stability is a step towards dignity, work, and school. This is a commitment to responsible investment, a principled partnership with the DRC, and a country that is a country that is born from conflict.
For our fellow people and women of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, especially the women of the East, we know that you are looking at this moment with concern, hope and doubt. And you’re right to do so. There are all reasons to expect more than promises. You are entitled to actions that measure you to the suffering you endure. We draw strength from your resilience, from your commitment to justice, and from our shared, unwavering belief that our sovereignty and territory cannot be negotiated. We are a country that respects its responsibility and we understand that history, geography, and yes, perhaps even fate gave us the neighbors we have. The borders we inherited, as confirmed by the African Union, are permanent and will never change. But beyond these lines there is the history, family and community that connects us. This shared heritage calls for maturity, restraint and wisdom to recognize that peace is not weakness. It’s strength.
Again, we are at a crossroads in peace within reach. And we, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are determined to move forward based on lessons learned from the past. We stand as a nation dedicated to achieving lasting peace. We welcome the support of our strong partners on our side. And we, the DRC, express our strict hope that all parties will seize this opportunity.
thank you.
Secretary Rubio: Thank you, Minister Madame.
Minister.
Foreign Minister Nduhungirehe: Thank you. Hello. On behalf of President Paul Kagame and the Rwandan government, I would like to begin by thanking President Donald Trump for making a real change in the conversation about how to resolve the situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, and leading us to signing today’s Declaration of Principles.
We would like to thank Secretary Marco Rubio and the US government for hosting us. We commend your senior advisor Massad Boulos and other officials for the positive role you play in the significant advances you have achieved so far.
Today we are talking about the real problems, the root causes that must be addressed to achieve lasting peace in our region. They include first and foremost safe security and refugee return. Furthermore, very importantly, we discuss how to build a new original economic value chain that will connect our nation, including investment in the private sector in the US.
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Our goal is a safe area without violent ethnic extremism, and it is fully open. Working together, our region can become the engine of prosperity for all of us, and indeed, throughout Africa. The declaration of principles opens the door to a decisive peace agreement, gives new driving forces to the ongoing efforts of Africa-led processes under the East and South African Development Communities, and promotes the Doha Track, which has been promoted by Qatar, which has seen a recent important breakthrough.
Our general purpose is to enter into a comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible, but there are no shortcuts or quick revisions. Rwanda is committed and is ready to continue working with all involved partners to ensure the success of this initiative.
thank you very much.
Secretary Rubio: Thank you. Okay.
Senior Advisor Boulos: Secretary Rubio has signed as an eyewitness the declaration of principles between the government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the government of the Republic of Rwanda.
The declaration promises that the parties will address mutual recognition of sovereignty and territorial integrity, security concerns, promote regional economic integration, promote the return of displaced people, support Monusco and draft peace agreements.
These are serious commitments from each side. The existence of today’s secretaries as witnesses today implies the importance that the United States places in resolving this conflict and ensuring that both countries and their people will flourish. We look forward to working with both parties to promote existing partnerships and to promote winning results for all.
(It has been signed to the declaration of principles.)
(applause.)
Senior Advisor Boulos: This concludes the ceremony. thank you
