The African Union Commission has welcomed the signing of a historic peace deal between the DR Congo and Rwanda, saying it is a great step towards achieving stability within the conflict-ridden Great Lakes Region.

In a statement issued on Thursday, 4th December, 2025, AU Commission Chairperson H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf welcomed the ratification of the agreement by Presidents Félix Tshisekedi of DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, which took place in the presence of other African leaders in Washington DC.

H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed appreciation to the United States, which provided helpful support, including the role of President Donald Trump, to establish conditions suitable for reaching the deal.

He also commended the government of Qatar on diplomatic support and preparedness to finance African peace initiatives.

In a special tribute, regional mediators were honored, including H.E. President Faure Gnassingbé of Togo, a current facilitator, and H.E. President João Lourenço of Angola, an earlier mediator. The respective roles of the East African Community and Southern African Development Community were also noted.

Chairperson Youssouf called on all parties to implement the agreement in letter and spirit, and the moment turned into a foundation for reconciliation and sustainable peace. He reiterated the readiness of the AU Commission to support the process, which is beneficial to the two countries and the region.

For more than 30 years the eastern DRC has been riven by conflict, which has intensified in recent years with the advance of an armed militia backed by Rwanda.

The new arrangement is a diplomatic turning point after several years of heightened tension and proxy wars in Eastern DRC, which has seen Rwanda charged with supporting various rebel factions, a charge denied by the government.

The new deal is also expected to resolve various grievances, including political and economic, which sparked the conflict.