The African Union (AU), represented by its Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, at the signing ceremony of the Washington accords between Rwanda and the DRC has welcomed the deal as a historic step toward lasting peace, stability, and regional cooperation.
Youssouf, praised the agreement as “a significant milestone in the pursuit of lasting peace, security, and stability in the Great Lakes region.” He commended Presidents Paul Kagame and Félix Tshisekedi for taking what he described as “a courageous and necessary step toward reconciliation.”
A wave of relief and celebration swept through Washington, D.C. on Thursday December 4, 2025, as Rwanda and the DRC formally signed a long-awaited peace agreement, an accord widely described as the most significant breakthrough in the Great Lakes region in more than three decades.
The AU Chairperson underscored the weight of the moment. For years, tensions between the two neighbors have destabilized communities, hindered development, and fueled one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian crises.
With the ink now dry on the Washington accords, Youssouf said the continent has been given “a renewed opportunity to chart a peaceful and prosperous future.”
A key part of the AU’s message was recognition of the international support that helped push the process across the finish line. The AU extended appreciation to the State of Qatar for its diplomatic backing and readiness to support African-led peace efforts.
Youssouf acknowledged “the constructive support provided by the United States,” singling out U.S. President Donald Trump for what he called “personal engagement and decisive commitment that created conditions necessary for this outcome.”
AU Calls for full implementation
Meanwhile, the AU emphasized that the success of the agreement depends on the political will of both countries in the coming months.
“One thing is to sign an agreement,” Youssouf cautioned, echoing a sentiment shared by many leaders present. “Another is to faithfully implement it in both letter and spirit.”
He urged Rwanda and the DRC to ensure that the deal becomes “a foundation for reconciliation, regional cooperation, and sustainable peace,” stressing that the coming phase requires discipline, transparency, and unwavering commitment.
Youssouf also paid tribute to African mediation efforts over the years, including the roles played by Angola, the East African Community (EAC), and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He highlighted Angola’s early diplomacy and Togo’s continued leadership, calling them “critical engines of the regional efforts that helped make this agreement possible.”
The AU reaffirmed its readiness to accompany both countries through the implementation stage. Youssouf said the Commission “stands ready to support the parties and regional mechanisms in advancing this vital process for the benefit of the peoples of the DRC, Rwanda, and the wider region.”
As leaders embraced and applause filled the room, the atmosphere captured a moment many thought would never come: two nations long locked in cycles of mistrust choosing cooperation over conflict.
