Rwandan President Paul Kagame has reaffirmed his country’s dedication to upholding the recently signed peace agreement aimed at ending years of conflict in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo).
Speaking to reporters on July 4, during Rwanda’s Liberation Day celebrations in Kigali, Kagame issued a firm warning that Rwanda would respond decisively if the other side resorts to any form of deception or sabotage.
The US-brokered deal was signed just last week by Rwanda and DR Congo, addressing the prolonged violence in the resource-rich eastern provinces that have long been destabilized by armed groups, including the M23 rebel group. Key provisions include the withdrawal of foreign troops and joint efforts to neutralize rebel militias, marking a critical step toward peace in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
President Kagame’s remarks came on a solemn day for Rwanda, commemorating the end of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, a tragedy that shaped the nation’s modern history.
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He emphasized that lasting peace in the region is vital not only for Rwanda but for the broader stability and prosperity of neighboring countries.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump had noted that the agreement grants the United States certain rights related to the extraction of minerals in eastern DR Congo, a point that has sparked debate and drawn international attention.
Experts believe the success of the peace process depends heavily on trust between Kigali and Kinshasa, and their ability to work collaboratively to implement the agreement’s terms. The eastern DR Congo region remains fragile, with decades of conflict tied closely to control over valuable minerals such as coltan, gold, and tin.