Signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, and the DRC’s Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the agreement witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is a pivotal step toward addressing decades of insecurity in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

In an official statement, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the accord as “a positive and important step toward fostering stability and peace in the region.” The Ministry emphasized that the agreement “emphasizes mutual respect for the sovereignty of both nations and a firm commitment to resolving disputes through peaceful and negotiated means.”

Qatar further commended “the constructive engagement and the commitment to dialogue and diplomacy, which reflect a genuine desire to de-escalate tensions and advance the interests of the peoples of both countries and the wider region.”

The Declaration of Principles comes against the backdrop of over 30 years of conflict in eastern DRC, fueled by hundreds of armed groups.

Previous peace efforts, such as a near-agreement in December 2024 mediated by Angola, collapsed when DRC representatives refused to engage with the AFC/M23.

Qatar’s diplomatic intervention proved critical in breaking this impasse. On March 18, 2025, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, hosted a trilateral meeting in Doha with Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and DRC’s President Félix Tshisekedi.

The leaders agreed to prioritize political dialogue, aligning with guidelines set by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) at their joint summit in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025.

Qatar’s mediation extended to facilitating dialogue between the DRC and the AFC/M23, culminating in a ceasefire agreement on April 23, 2025.

This ceasefire created a conducive environment for the signing of the Declaration, which establishes a framework for regional governance, security, and economic development.

Qatar expressed appreciation for “the diplomatic efforts undertaken by the United States, which are part of the broader international community’s initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict and promoting security and stability in the Great Lakes region.”

These efforts build on regional progress, including the EAC-SADC summit and the Doha trilateral meeting, which Qatar highlighted as key milestones.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed Qatar’s unwavering support for “all joint efforts and initiatives aimed at promoting peace.”

It reiterated “the State’s consistent position advocating for the resolution of conflicts through dialogue and peaceful means, and its commitment to upholding the principles of international law—foundations that are essential to strengthening stability and reinforcing international peace and security.”

Signed by Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe, and the DRC’s Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the agreement witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is a pivotal step toward addressing decades of insecurity in the Great Lakes Region of Africa.