ADDIS ABABA—The Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission, Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, has warmly welcomed the “historic peace agreement” signed by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi in Washington, D.C.
Youssouf described the pact as a “major step toward lasting peace and stability” in the turbulent Great Lakes region, a vital area of focus for the AU.
Praise for Regional and International Support
The AU Commission Chair specifically praised the roles played by both international and African stakeholders in facilitating the crucial breakthrough:
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International Facilitators: He acknowledged the pivotal support provided by the United States and the State of Qatar, which hosted crucial preliminary negotiations.
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African Leadership: Youssouf singled out the commitment of African leaders, including President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo and President João Lourenço of Angola, whose sustained mediation efforts were critical to bridging the deep-seated tensions between the two nations.
The agreement aims to normalize diplomatic relations, demobilize and repatriate armed groups operating across the shared border, and foster economic cooperation—key steps required to end decades of conflict fueled by proxy wars and control over mineral wealth.
AU’s Commitment to Implementation
While celebrating the signing, Youssouf emphasized that the true success of the agreement rests on its full and unconditional implementation by both Kigali and Kinshasa.
He affirmed the African Union’s readiness to dedicate resources and diplomatic support to the subsequent phases of the process, including:
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Reconciliation: Fostering community-level reconciliation efforts in affected border regions.
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Regional Cooperation: Supporting joint economic and security projects to build mutual trust.
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Sustainable Peace: Monitoring adherence to the security clauses, particularly those concerning armed groups.
The AU’s statement sets a tone of cautious optimism, recognizing the monumental challenge of translating a diplomatic agreement into tangible peace and stability on the ground in the eastern DRC.
