In a post on X on Sunday, U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, said he held an in-depth discussion with Rwanda's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, focused on consolidating peace and prosperity across the region.
Boulos said the talks focused on reviewing progress made under the Washington Peace Agreement, particularly the implementation of its Concept of Operations, and on advancing the Doha track, which complements U.S. efforts to secure a peaceful resolution between the DRC and the AFC/M23 rebel coalition.
He noted that the discussions also covered the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), a U.S.-backed initiative aimed at promoting peace and stability through cooperation in trade, infrastructure, energy, and transparent mineral supply chains.
The U.S. envoy stressed that lasting peace in the Great Lakes region hinges on the full and timely implementation of the Washington Peace Agreement, adding that Washington remains confident in President Kagame's commitment to achieving that goal.
'We are relying on President Kagame's continued commitment to lasting peace and prosperity,' Boulos said.
Boulos' statement came shortly after another post on his meeting with DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, on the progress made under the Washington Peace Agreement and the parallel Doha track aimed at restoring sovereignty and reinforcing regional stability.
He noted that a foundation of peace and stability would pave the way for greater U.S. investment in transparent mineral supply chains and infrastructure benefiting the Congolese people.
The renewed diplomatic engagement follows Boulos's visit to Rwanda in October, when he met President Paul Kagame for talks focused on the U.S.-mediated peace process and regional security.
According to the Rwandan Presidency, the discussions at the time underscored 'ongoing efforts to advance peace in the Great Lakes region, and Rwanda's continuous commitment to lasting peace and security.'
The Washington Accord, signed on June 27, 2025, was brokered by the United States to normalise relations between Rwanda and the DRC. The agreement aims to dismantle the FDLR militia, composed of remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, and lead to the lifting of Rwanda's defensive posture along its western border.
However, progress has not been without challenges. Tensions resurfaced last month after the DRC declined, at the last minute, to sign the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), a key pillar of the peace process designed to strengthen economic cooperation between Kigali and Kinshasa.
'The Rwandan delegation in Washington, D.C. 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,' she added.
Despite the setback, Rwanda has maintained its commitment to the peace accord and the broader U.S.-led process.
'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 noted. 'The peace process must succeed. It is the best chance for stability and economic development for our region.'
Wycliffe Nyamasege
