President Paul Kagame has addressed growing international assumptions surrounding the diplomatic process between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), firmly rejecting claims that Rwanda undermined African-led mediation initiatives. Speaking in a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Kagame clarified that Rwanda never dismissed regional peace efforts and that the latest negotiations in Qatar and Washington were not initiated by Kigali, but rather requested by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi.
According to Kagame, misinformation led some countries and leaders to believe Rwanda was uninterested in existing African frameworks. He described this perception as inaccurate, stressing that Rwanda remained consistent in its approach and positions throughout the diplomatic process.
The interview followed the signing of a major economic, development, and peace agreement in Washington, an event that brought together Kagame, Tshisekedi, and former U.S. President Donald Trump. Kagame characterized the agreement as extraordinary, noting that the conflict in eastern Congo has rarely attracted sustained, high-level attention, particularly from a sitting American president.
He said the Washington engagement represented a significant departure from past efforts, both in scale and seriousness, and signaled a renewed international willingness to push for a lasting solution.
Kagame explained that the Washington talks demonstrated a new level of political commitment, with deeper discussions and stronger diplomatic pressure than previously witnessed. He noted that earlier initiatives often lacked follow-through, despite ambitious declarations.
At the heart of the Washington agreement, Kagame said, are three interlinked pillars: politics, security, and economic cooperation. He emphasized that none of these elements can succeed in isolation. Without political understanding, security remains fragile, and without economic opportunity, peace cannot be sustained.
According to Kagame, the agreement already contains all the necessary components to change realities on the ground. The missing element, he said, has always been implementation, which he described as the most difficult phase of any peace process in the Great Lakes region.
Reflecting on Donald Trump’s role, Kagame praised what he called a practical and results-driven approach. He argued that Western engagement with Africa has traditionally centered on rhetoric around democracy and human rights without producing measurable improvements in people’s lives.
Kagame said Trump reintroduced two crucial elements. The first was an insistence on outcomes rather than symbolism. The second was an emphasis on interest-based cooperation, particularly through trade and economic growth, which Kagame believes offers tangible benefits to African countries.
For Rwanda, he said, economic partnerships that create jobs and stability are more effective than endless political lectures that fail to address structural challenges.
While acknowledging the importance of international partners, Kagame stressed that African problems cannot be solved by outsiders alone. He underlined that Rwanda and the DRC bear primary responsibility for ensuring the success of the agreement, while external actors such as the United States and Qatar can help monitor progress and demand accountability.
Addressing confusion around the Qatar talks, Kagame reiterated that Rwanda did not seek parallel processes or reject African mediation. He explained that the discussions initially moved together before being separated, largely at Tshisekedi’s request.
Kagame suggested that Tshisekedi believed new platforms could tilt negotiations in his favor, relying on the DRC’s size, population, and economic potential to influence outcomes. Kagame added that such strategies often include offering incentives to shape international opinion.
In contrast, he said Rwanda consistently presents clear, factual positions aimed at addressing the root causes of the conflict rather than short-term political gains.
One of the most significant outcomes of the recent diplomacy, Kagame explained, was the decision to bring the M23 rebel group into direct talks with the Congolese government. He described this as a necessary step grounded in realism, arguing that excluding key actors only prolongs instability.
Kagame maintained that meaningful dialogue requires engaging all parties involved, particularly those with influence on the ground. He added that previous attempts failed precisely because they ignored underlying grievances and relied on superficial agreements.
He also accused the DRC of repeatedly violating past agreements signed with Rwanda, contributing to cycles of mistrust and renewed violence. Kagame expressed cautious optimism that the joint involvement of Qatar and the United States could help prevent a repeat of such failures by enforcing accountability.
On broader geopolitics, Kagame downplayed the significance of global rivalries such as the competition between the United States and China, stating that such dynamics are too vast for Rwanda to influence. His focus, he said, remains squarely on resolving regional security and political challenges.
He rejected claims that Congo’s instability is inevitable due to its natural resources, noting that Rwanda also possesses valuable minerals, including high-grade materials identified by the U.S.-based Trinity Company, yet has managed to maintain order and stability.
According to Kagame, governance, discipline, and accountability matter more than resource endowment in determining a country’s trajectory.
When asked about speculation surrounding a possible Nobel Peace Prize for himself, Trump, and also Tshisekedi, Kagame responded with restraint. He said he had never considered himself at that level and emphasized that recognition should follow results, not intentions.
While acknowledging that Trump might attract attention due to his recent initiatives, Kagame reiterated that real success depends on whether Rwanda and the DRC honor their commitments.
He concluded by describing Trump as a leader who often acts on his words, adding that if the Washington agreement is fully implemented, it could yield unprecedented outcomes for regional stability. However, Kagame cautioned that failure remains possible if the primary stakeholders do not take their responsibilities seriously.
The message, he said, is clear: peace is achievable, but only through sustained commitment, honest dialogue, and even disciplined execution.
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