According to a post on X by the Presidency on Thursday, the discussions highlighted 'ongoing efforts to advance peace in the Great Lakes region, and Rwanda's continuous commitment to lasting peace and security.'
The meeting comes at a critical moment in the U.S.-mediated peace process between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The two countries signed the Washington Accord on June 27, 2025. The agreement was designed to dismantle the FDLR militia, composed of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and to lift Rwanda's defensive posture along the border.
However, implementation of the peace deal has faced challenges. Tensions deepened last week when the DRC declined, at the last minute, to sign the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF). The framework was expected to bolster economic cooperation between Kigali and Kinshasa and strengthen regional integration efforts.
'The Rwandan delegation in Washington, D.C. this week was ready to sign the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), which benefits both our countries and the region,' Government Spokesperson Yolande Makolo wrote on X on October 4.
'We are puzzled by the DRC's last-minute decision not to sign the agreement, given the positive atmosphere of the negotiations … and the diligent mediation work of Senior Advisor Massad Boulos and the State Department.'
Despite the setback, Rwanda has reiterated its commitment to both the peace agreement and the broader U.S.-facilitated mediation efforts.
'Rwanda believes in the peace agreement and in the approach of the U.S. mediation, and hopes that the REIF will eventually be signed,' Makolo added. 'The peace process must succeed. It is the best chance for stability and economic development for our region.'
President Kagame's meeting with Boulos on Thursday signals continued U.S. engagement in the Great Lakes, even as the region navigates setbacks in both security and economic cooperation tracks.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
