In a moment that reshapes the narrative of Central African diplomacy, Rwandan President Paul Kagame delivered a landmark address at the historic signing of the Washington Accords. Standing alongside U.S. President Donald Trump and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi, Kagame framed the agreement not merely as a foreign-brokered deal, but as a pivotal commitment that Africa itself must steward and sustain.

The ceremony, held at the White House, marked the culmination of unprecedented diplomatic engagement from the Trump administration to broker a tangible peace framework between Rwanda and the DRC. In his speech, President Kagame extended specific and notable praise to President Trump for his “unprecedented role” and direct involvement in facilitating the dialogue, acknowledging an unexpected and decisive American partnership in this African conflict.

However, the core of Kagame’s message was directed inward, toward the continent. He meticulously outlined Rwanda’s unwavering commitment to regional security, stability, and shared economic prosperity. With a tone of sober responsibility, the Rwandan leader emphasized that while international partners can help create the framework, the enduring weight of implementation and success “holds the responsibility to sustain this agreement.”

Analysts view this speech as a strategic and powerful clarification of agency. Kagame positioned the Accords as a tool for African nations to wield, rather than a condition imposed upon them. He set the record straight on Rwanda’s intentions: a future of cooperative security and mutual economic development with its neighbor, but anchored in the principle of African ownership over African solutions.

This shift underscores a broader theme in contemporary Pan-African diplomacy—gratitude for external support paired with a firm assertion of primary responsibility. The Washington Accords now enter their most critical phase: translation from signature to action on the ground. Kagame’s words have defined the lens through which this process will be judged, placing the onus firmly on regional leadership to deliver a lasting peace for the people of the Great Lakes region.

The world now watches to see how this declaration of ownership will manifest in the coming months, as Rwanda and the DRC navigate the complex path from a historic signing to a transformed future.