Tshisekedi Agrees to US-Brokered Meeting with Kagame in Washington Amid Hopes for ‘Final Peace Deal’

KIGALI, RWANDA — The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, has reportedly agreed to a meeting with Rwandan President Paul Kagame next week in Washington, D.C., in a US-led effort to finalize a long-sought regional peace agreement.

The United States government has consistently attempted to facilitate a meeting between the two leaders in Washington D.C. to formalize “final agreements” that would supplement peace accords initially agreed upon between Rwanda and the DRC on June 27, 2025.

Previous attempts to host the meeting were thwarted by repeated delays and cancellations. A planned summit for October 23 failed when DRC representatives declined to sign a draft economic cooperation agreement. The meeting was then rescheduled for November 13, only to be postponed again at the last minute for undisclosed reasons, despite both presidents having previously committed to attending, according to Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Olivier Nduhungirehe.

In a November 27 press conference, President Kagame confirmed his readiness to travel to Washington to engage in discussions and sign any necessary documents, emphasizing that Rwanda is prepared to take the steps required for peace.

“I can tell you that the delays have nothing to do with Rwanda,” Kagame stated. “We are waiting. They are talking about early December… I don’t know if tomorrow someone will say, ‘No, I won’t go to Washington’ because they dreamed about it last night or a preacher advised them that it’s a bad idea.”

Kagame expressed hope that the US mediators possess the necessary resolve to successfully unite the two leaders, framing the potential meeting as a crucial step toward regional stability.

According to a November 27 report by Africa Intelligence, President Tshisekedi, facing significant US pressure, is expected to meet with Donald Trump’s team on December 4 to sign the peace agreement with his Rwandan counterpart.

The U.S. believes these “final agreements” are vital for ensuring lasting peace and sustainable development in the Great Lakes region through enhanced economic cooperation. The envisioned pact aims to foster joint ventures in mineral extraction, construct the Rusizi III hydroelectric dam, boost trade and healthcare collaboration, and protect shared national parks.

Crucially, these economic initiatives are contingent upon the implementation of key security measures, primarily the dismantling of the FDLR terrorist group and the removal of the defense mechanisms currently employed by Rwanda.

Rwandan Foreign Minister Nduhungirehe has maintained that the DRC forces continue to assist and cooperate with the FDLR, rather than neutralize the group. He stressed that dismantling the militia is a necessary precursor for Rwanda to scale back its defensive measures, warning that failure to do so will compromise regional security.