Qatar participated in the signing ceremony of the peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which took place in Washington on Friday. The peace deal raises hopes for an end to fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more this year.

HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh al-Khulaifi, represented Qatar at the signing ceremony.
In a statement to Qatar News Agency (QNA) on this occasion, HE al-Khulaifi expressed Qatar’s welcome of the conclusion of this agreement, as well as its commendation of the sincere will and genuine commitment demonstrated by both parties to the approach of peaceful and diplomatic solutions.

The trilateral meeting between the Amir and the presidents of Rwanda and DRC in Doha on March 18, 2025, led to direct dialogue and confidence-building between the two sides

He also expressed Qatar’s pride in contributing positively to facilitating the achievement of this agreement through hosting several negotiation sessions between the two parties, as a result of Doha’s hosting of the trilateral meeting between His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani; President of Rwanda, Paul Kagame; and President of the DRC, Felix Tshisekedi; on March 18, 2025, which constituted a significant milestone for direct dialogue and confidence-building between the two sides.

HE al-Khulaifi commended the constructive role played by the US in completing these efforts and reaching this significant agreement, which is expected to enhance security and stability in the Great Lakes region.

Progress in ongoing parallel mediation talks in Doha is essential before the signing of the economic framework. The agreement voiced “full support” for the Qatar-hosted talks

HE the Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed that these efforts are in support of the African Union’s mediation and the outcomes of the Joint Summit of the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community, which was held in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on February 8, 2025. In this regard, he expressed Qatar’s full readiness to collaborate with all regional and international partners to achieve lasting peace that benefits the peoples of the region.

At a ceremony with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, the two African countries’ foreign ministers signed the agreement pledging to implement a 2024 deal that would see Rwandan troops withdraw from eastern Congo within 90 days. Rubio said that heads of state would be “here in Washington in a few weeks to finalise the complete protocol and agreement.” “Today, the violence and destruction comes to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope and opportunity,” President Donald Trump said as he welcomed the two nations’ foreign ministers to the White House on Friday. “This is a wonderful day.” Trump warned of “very severe penalties, financial and otherwise”, if the agreement is violated.

The deal was negotiated through Qatar since before Trump took office.

There is an understanding that progress in ongoing talks in Doha — a separate but parallel mediation effort with delegations from the Congolese government and M23 — is essential before the signing of the economic framework, a source said.

The agreement signed on Friday voiced “full support” for the Qatar-hosted talks.

The agreement comes after the M23, an ethnic Tutsi rebel force, sprinted across the mineral-rich east of the DRC this year, seizing vast territory including the key city of Goma.

Rwanda has denied directly supporting the M23 but has demanded an end to another armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which was established by ethnic Hutus linked to the massacres of Tutsis in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The agreement calls for the “neutralisation” of the FDLR.

The agreement also sets up a joint security coordination body to monitor progress and calls vaguely for a “regional economic integration framework” within three months.

Speaking to reporters earlier Friday, Trump said the US would be able to secure “a lot of mineral rights from the Congo.” The DRC has enormous mineral reserves that include lithium and cobalt, vital in electric vehicles and other advanced technologies, with US rival China now a key player in securing the resources.

The agreement drew wide praise.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the deal “a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability” in the eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region.

The landmark agreement was also praised by the chairman of the African Union Commission.

Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who witnessed the signing of the deal in Washington, “welcomed this significant milestone and commended all efforts aimed at advancing peace, stability, and reconciliation in the region,” a statement said.

In Goma, an economic hub near the Rwandan boarder, resident Adeline Furaha said the accord gave “a glimmer of hope for long-awaited peace.” “I hope my brothers and sisters who fled Goma can now return,” Furah said.