Your Excellency President Trump, fellow heads of state,

A Historic and Consequential Milestone

• Today’s signing of the Washington Peace Accord for eastern DRC is a decisive act ending a decades-long devastating conflict.

• Mr. President, your achievement is transformative, consequential, and historic—it has destroyed livelihoods and threatened the entire Great Lakes and African continent.

Regional Efforts and U.S. Leadership

• This culminates relentless work by the East African Community, SADC, and the coordinated Nairobi, Luanda, and Washington processes.

• Gratitude to Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame for their leadership.

• Made possible by the United States’ unparalleled convening power and President Trump’s resolute commitment—your clarity and ability to rally stakeholders delivered this breakthrough.

Collective Resolve and Economic Promise

• Our presence demonstrates regional determination to fully realize the agreement and unlock immense economic potential.

• Protracted conflicts hold Africa back (evident in our 3% global trade share).

• A peaceful eastern DRC offers one of Africa’s greatest opportunities through:
• Vast resources and young talent
• Regional infrastructure and the African Continental Free Trade Area
• Innovation, reduced risk, lower costs, increased trade, and value-added industries
• Building value chains in minerals, manufacturing, and agro-processing

The Great Lakes region enters a new era: peace opens doors, integration guides, private-sector dynamism propels.

Call for Continued Global Engagement

• As we celebrate DRC progress, we cannot ignore other crises.

• I respectfully ask President Trump to support resolving the humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.

Thank you.