The Principles Declaration, signed in Washington, D.C. on Friday, April 25th, “opens the door” to an agreement between Rwanda and the Congo that will bring lasting peace to the Eastern Congo and the Great Lakes Region, said Rwanda Foreign Minister and Minister of International Cooperation Olivier Ndunmun.
Read: The US hosts signing the Declaration of Principles between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Government of Rwandan
The agreement was signed by Nduhungirehe and his Congolese counter, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, and was spotted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the ceremony.
Also Read: Dr. Rwanda, Doctor of Congo to sign “Declaration of Principles” in Washington
Nduhungirehe said the US’s signature of the declaration of strengthened principles is seeking to address long-standing issues that will encourage conflict in the eastern Congo and affect the wider region.
However, he warned that “shortcuts or quick fixes” would not end the unrest of decades ago.
“Today, we are talking about the underlying causes that must be addressed to achieve lasting peace in our region,” Nduhungirehe said in her signature.
“It includes the return of refugees, first and foremost, safe, and, very importantly, how we can build a new regional economic value chain that will connect our nation, including investment in the private sector in the United States.”
Rwanda has long been concerned about its cooperation with Dr. Congo with FDLR, a US-sanctioned militia established by perpetrators of genocide Tutsi in 1994.
Also Read: The Silence of the West Over Kinshasa-backed FDLR Kagame
The group spread hate speech and genocide violence against the Tutsi community in Congo. Rwanda hosts nearly 100,000 Congolese refugees who fled the violence, some of whom have spent more than 25 years in camps.
The Rwandan government has also expressed concern about the conspiracy intentions of the Congolese government’s coalition to fight the AFC/M23 rebels.
Dr. Congo has accused Rwanda of supporting rebels that have controlled two major cities in eastern Congo since January. Rwanda dismissed these claims, noting that security threats have taken defensive measures to prevent measurements.
Also Read: Trump Advisor says FDLR is “a key element of Doctor of Peace Congo”
The signing of the Declaration of Peace came 10 days after the visit of Massad Boulos, senior adviser to President Donald Trump, to Africa.
Nduhungirehe praised the US government’s efforts to support a peaceful resolution of conflicts in eastern Congo, a volatile region for 30 years.
“Our goal is to be safe areas and there is no violent ethnic extremism.
Also Read: Kinshasa, AFC/M23 Rebels agree to ceasefire at Qatar talks
He added that the declaration of principles “opens the door to a decisive peace agreement” in the ongoing efforts of Africa-led processes under the East African Community and South African Development Community, as well as ongoing efforts in peace negotiations through Qatar.
Thanks to Qatar’s mediation, the Congolese government and the AFC/M23 rebels announced Wednesday that they had agreed to a ceasefire in their first direct negotiations in the three-year conflict.
“Our common goal is to enter into a comprehensive peace agreement as soon as possible,” Nduhungirehe said.
“But there are no shortcuts or quick fixes, and we have to work hard to get it right.”
He said Rwanda is ready to continue working with all involved partners to ensure the success of its US strengthening initiative.
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Rubio said the declaration of the principles would “establish a fundamental understanding of regional governance, security and economic frameworks, end the battle and enable the region to reach its full potential.”
“Here are the foreign ministers of these countries, who both have my counterparts, marking the beginning of a strong commitment to have the conversations they need to reach the resolution,” he said.
He added that a peaceful Great Lakes region will help with US investment interest. The US government is looking to surprise Rwanda’s important mineral trade with Dr. Congo.
“Durable peace comes before economic development,” Rubio said. “It’s impossible to do without peace, and millions of displaced people can return home to safer communities with new economic opportunities that have escaped generations.”