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In a landmark step long awaited by the African continent, the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed a historic peace agreement in Washington, D.C. on Friday, June 27, 2025. This pivotal accord aims to bring an end to a conflict that has plagued eastern Congo for over three decades—one that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced millions from their homes.

Calling this agreement “historic” is no mere figure of speech—it captures the profound complexity and devastating human cost of a conflict that has left deep scars across the Great Lakes region.

The Union of Private Television of Africa (UTPA) warmly welcomes this diplomatic breakthrough and expresses its sincere hope that it marks a decisive turning point toward stability and prosperity in the Great Lakes region and across the African continent at large. As an institution that represents Africa’s independent broadcast sector and works to foster authentic media exchange and industry development, UTPA views this moment as a critical step toward realizing the African Union’s vision of “an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena.”

Ending a conflict of this magnitude directly aligns with the continent’s broader aspirations for peace and security—goals that remain a top priority for the African Union.

This successful agreement stands as a testament to tireless and persistent diplomatic efforts. The United States played a central and hands-on role in facilitating the negotiations, underscored by the presence of President Donald Trump at the White House summit—an appearance that signified the strategic importance Washington attached to the outcome.

The State of Qatar also made a decisive contribution, proudly hosting several rounds of preliminary talks in Doha. Qatar’s Minister of State confirmed that these efforts were made in alignment with the African Union’s broader mediation framework.

Beyond the direct facilitators, both the African Union and the United Nations played essential supporting roles, offering strategic backing and a foundational framework for the peace process. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged this explicitly, stating that “the work carried out under the auspices of the African Union was instrumental to reaching this agreement.” The AU’s long-standing vision for a peaceful and secure Africa resonates deeply with the spirit of this accord.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres also welcomed the deal, reaffirming the United Nations’ commitment to upholding international peace and security and supporting the rule of international law.