President William Ruto is in Washington, D.C., after receiving an official invitation from U.S. President Donald Trump to witness the signing of the landmark DRC–Rwanda peace agreement.
The ceremony, which will also bring together Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi, is being hailed as the most significant breakthrough in efforts to end decades of conflict in eastern DRC.
Kenya’s State House confirmed on Tuesday, December 2, that the Washington signing represents the culmination of years of regional negotiation, drawing heavily on the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes and supported jointly by the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
“At the invitation of President Donald J. Trump, President William Ruto departs this afternoon for Washington, D.C., in the U.S.A. to join President Paul Kagame and President Félix Tshisekedi in witnessing the official signing of the DRC–Rwanda Peace Agreement; the most significant breakthrough in addressing decades of conflict in Eastern DRC,” read the statement from State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed.
The accord is expected to bring together all key parties and unlock long-delayed pathways for disarmament, demobilization, humanitarian access, and long-term regional stabilization.
As EAC chairman, Ruto has played a central role in steering dialogue among the warring groups, with Nairobi acting as a pivotal platform for sustained negotiations alongside SADC-led efforts in Luanda under Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
This marks a crucial moment for the Great Lakes region, where persistent insecurity in eastern DRC has shaped political dynamics for more than two decades. The agreement signals renewed international attention and a coordinated attempt to restore stability.
The visit also comes a week after Ruto publicly backed U.S. involvement in the Sudan crisis, arguing that the deteriorating situation demanded stronger international engagement.
While hosting Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on November 24, Ruto expressed support for efforts “for America’s and President Trump’s intervention in the Sudan crisis,” repeating Kenya’s call for a political settlement and rejecting claims that Nairobi was sheltering Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.
Beyond the peace agenda, Ruto’s will use his time in Washington to advance Kenya’s economic and security priorities with the United States. “While in Washington, the President will participate in engagements aimed at advancing Kenya’s strategic interests in trade, investment, health cooperation, and security,” Mohamed noted.
Central to the visit is the signing of the Kenya–U.S. Health Cooperation Framework, which transitions the 25-year bilateral partnership into a sustainable, government-led model.
As Ruto joins Kagame and Tshisekedi in Washington, expectations are high that the accord will open a new chapter for eastern DRC, reinforcing patriotism in shaping regional peace and cooperation.
