Delegations from both countries had worked tirelessly, day and night. Everything was in order; all that remained was to put pen to paper. But on October 3, 2025, when the day finally arrived, everything changed.
In an unexpected turn of events, President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi instructed his delegation not to sign the agreement with a precondition of "withdrawal of 90% of Rwandan troops."
Rwanda has repeatedly denied the Kinshasa administration's claims of troops in the DRC, insisting that its defensive posture along the border is necessary due to the security threat posed by the DRC-backed FDLR militia, formed by the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Meanwhile, Rwanda was stunned by President Tshisekedi's U-turn. Throughout all the previous discussions, not once had the issue of troops been raised. What was meant to be a historic step towards peace and cooperation suddenly became a story for another day.
Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, said, "They [the delegations] were ready to initial the document the following morning, but President Tshisekedi instructed, at the last minute, his delegation NOT to sign, fearing the negative reaction of his internal public opinion.
Ambassador Nduhungirehe added that the agreement was purely economic and did not touch on security matters.
"Indeed, negotiations on the REIF are purely economic and don't consider security matters, which are handled by the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM)," the minister added.
He explained that the DRC's last-minute decision caused confusion after months of intense mediation efforts led by Massad Boulos and the U.S. Department of State, who had worked tirelessly to ensure both sides reached an understanding.
Minister Nduhungirehe recalled that in September 2024, it was again Tshisekedi who prevented his Foreign Minister from signing an agreement on dismantling the FDLR militia group and lifting Rwanda's defensive measures, even though the military representatives of both countries had already agreed on those terms.
President Kagame had foreseen it
Those closely following Rwandaâ€"DRC relations were quick to recall President Paul Kagame's remarks during his interview with Mario Nawfal in March 2025 after witnessing Tshisekedi's latest behaviour.
President Kagame revealed that he had held several discussions with President Tshisekedi since the latter assumed office, but found it difficult to reach a lasting understanding with him, as Tshisekedi often went back on their agreements.
"I have no problem speaking with President Tshisekedi, but making deals is the most difficult thing. You agree on something, but once he steps out of the room, it's completely differentâ€"either forgotten, changed, or he'll say we never said that," President Kagame stated.
When asked what he would tell President Tshisekedi if they were sitting together at that very moment, President Kagame responded: 'I would tell him I wish he wasn't president of that good country,' he responded when asked what he would tell the DRC Head of State if they met.
'Next time I meet him, I will tell him that," he added.
Tshisekedi's sudden reversal on the agreement has now left many questioning whether he genuinely intends to honour the commitments made under the Washington peace accord between Rwanda and the DRC.
At a time when the world had placed its hopes on this deal as the dawn of a new era of cooperation, President Tshisekedi's decision has once again cast a shadow of uncertainty over relations between the two nations.
IGIHE
