Describing the accord as a 'glorious triumph' for peace, President Trump said the agreement marked the end of one of the world's most protracted conflicts.
'The violence and destruction come to an end today, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope, opportunity, prosperity, and peace,' he said during the ceremony.
The peace deal was signed by Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe and his DRC counterpart Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner. The event was presided over by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who led the diplomatic push alongside Senior Advisor for African Affairs Massad Boulos.
In his remarks, Trump stressed the importance of holding both nations accountable for implementing the terms of the agreement.
'You're going to do what's in the agreement… because if somebody fails to do that, bad things happen,' he warned. 'But I have a feeling that after 30 years, you're all set.'
The agreement is the result of months of quiet diplomacy led by the U.S. State Department, with support from Qatar, the African Union, and the government of Togo.
Boulos, who led the U.S. mediation efforts, confirmed that the accord signed Friday was the final and binding version. He also hinted at further economic agreements and an upcoming Heads of State ceremonial summit at the White House, expected soon.
Under the new agreement, both countries have committed to the formation of a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism to oversee the implementation of peace and stability measures. At the heart of this framework is a plan to neutralise the FDLR, a militia group linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
The DRC has committed to dismantling the FDLR and facilitating the safe return of refugees; in return, Rwanda will lift defensive measures at its border.
Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe thanked the Trump administration for its decisive involvement in mediating the agreement.
'This deal is the product of coordinated efforts from multiple actors,' he said, pointing to Qatar's mediation and the African Union's role, particularly under the leadership of President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo.
'The first order of business is to implement the concept of operations for the neutralization of the FDLR, accompanied by a lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures,' Nduhungirehe explained.
'This is grounded in the commitment made here for an irreversible and verifiable end to state support for FDLR and associated militias.'
At the same time, Minister Nduhungirehe noted that in the coming weeks, the focus will shift to ensuring the success of ongoing mediation between the DRC and the AFC/M23 rebel group in Qatar.
'We will lend our full support in the weeks ahead to Qatar's mediation efforts, led by Minister of State Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, to secure a peace agreement between the DRC government and the AFC/M23,' he said.
He also highlighted economic cooperation as a pillar of the new relationship, noting growing interest from American investors in sectors ranging from mining to energy.
'Shared growth and cross-border cooperation will unlock tangible dividends for both our countries,' he said.
Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, representing the DRC, echoed the sentiments. 'This agreement affirms a shared responsibility to uphold sovereignty, human rights, and international law,' she said. 'We, the DRC, will resolutely fight for this agreement to be respected, not with our words but with our deeds.'
Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the agreement a critical step toward lasting stability, adding that it represents a strategic alignment of peace and prosperity in the region. He emphasised that U.S. engagement was motivated not just by diplomacy but by the shared interests in economic development, human rights, and long-term investment.
Boulos added that the U.S. is also negotiating a critical minerals agreement with the DRC and supporting infrastructure projects such as a $1.5 billion electric transmission line from Angola to the DRC. He noted a regional economic integration framework had also been finalised and would be signed at the White House later this year.
The signing comes amid Trump's wider efforts to broker peace deals in other regions, including between Israel and Iran, and Pakistan and India.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
