Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has hailed the newly signed Washington peace accord between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo as a historic turning point capable of ending one of the world’s deadliest and longest-running conflicts.

The deal, signed on Friday, December 5, in Washington by Presidents Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi, targets a war that has claimed more than 10 million lives over the past three decades. Kenyatta, a key regional mediator, witnessed the signing alongside President William Ruto and other African leaders.

“This agreement ends decades of conflict by establishing a permanent ceasefire, the disarmament of rebel groups, provisions for refugees to return home and a framework for economic prosperity,” Uhuru said, calling it the most significant breakthrough yet in the Great Lakes peace process.

The accord follows an earlier framework signed on June 27 and marks the first time Rwanda and the DRC have jointly committed to a detailed timeline for troop withdrawal, dismantling of armed groups—including the FDLR—and a jointly supervised security verification mechanism.

What the Deal Commits To

  • Rwanda to withdraw forces from eastern DRC.

  • Joint dismantling of insurgent groups operating in North Kivu and South Kivu.

  • Creation of a security coordination mechanism to monitor withdrawal and disarmament.

  • Safe return of refugees and IDPs displaced by decades of violence.

  • Launch of a regional economic integration plan covering infrastructure, energy, minerals and cross-border trade.

Uhuru said the agreement builds on mediation efforts under the Nairobi and Luanda tracks, which he helped steer during his tenure as Kenya’s Special Envoy for the Great Lakes.

International Backing

The United States hosted the ceremony, with President Donald Trump offering what Uhuru called “critical political space” for both sides to commit to a deal previously deemed unreachable.

President Ruto echoed this sentiment, describing the signing as a “monumental diplomatic milestone” and praising coordinated diplomacy across Nairobi, Luanda and Washington for paving the way to peace.

“This accord can unlock enormous economic opportunities for our region,” Ruto said, reaffirming Kenya’s role in supporting its implementation.

Regional Leaders React

Tshisekedi acknowledged the long and painful road to the agreement, thanking regional mediators for pushing the process through years of setbacks.

Kagame said Rwanda is committed to stability and urged African governments to protect the gains of the accord.
“We must consolidate peace for our people and our region,” he said.

Trump lauded both leaders for taking “bold steps to end one of the longest-running conflicts on Earth.”

With the ink now dry, attention turns to implementation—widely seen as the true test of whether the Washington Accords can finally deliver peace to a region scarred by decades of bloodshed.