Kagame welcomes U.S.-brokered peace deal with Congo

Rwandan President Paul Kagame welcomed the U.S.-mediated peace agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo, but warned its success depends on both sides showing genuine commitment.

Speaking in Kigali, Kagame thanked Washington for helping facilitate the deal signed last week but said, “They are not the ones to implement what we have agreed.” He stressed that Rwanda would honour its commitments but warned: “If the other side plays tricks, we will respond as we have in the past.”

The peace deal, signed in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio present, outlines steps to respect territorial integrity, cease hostilities, and demobilise armed groups in eastern Congo.

However, the powerful M23 rebel group, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda, is not a signatory to the agreement. The group’s spokesman said it remains committed to a separate peace process led by Qatar.

The conflict in eastern Congo has displaced around 7 million people. The U.N. calls it one of the world’s most serious humanitarian crises.

Congo hopes the U.S. will now provide security assistance to push M23 out of major cities like Goma and Bukavu. Kagame, meanwhile, maintains Rwanda has the right to defend its borders and denies backing the rebels, despite multiple U.N. reports alleging Rwandan military involvement.

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