Sheikh Shakhbout bin Nahyan, Minister of State, led a UAE delegation that took part in a vital meeting in Washington to secure peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Emirati minister was invited to participate in the meeting on Thursday – which brought positive steps towards ending a decades-long conflict – by US President Donald Trump. A peace accord was signed between the African countries following months of efforts by the Trump administration to ending a war that has killed millions of people and displaced more than seven million.
“Today, we commit to stopping decades of violence and bloodshed and to bring a new era of harmony and co-operation between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda,” Mr Trump said. “It's an amazing day, great day for Africa, great day for the world and for those countries, and they have so much to be proud of.”
The signing ceremony was held at the United States Institute of Peace, which on Wednesday was renamed after Mr Trump. Its offices near the National Mall in Washington now bear his name.
The peace plan combines a series of pacts between the DRC and Rwanda, including an economic treaty aimed at drawing Western investment in the region's gold, cobalt, copper, lithium and other minerals.
Sheikh Shakhbout said the UAE is committed to working with international partners to ensure the implementation of the peace agreement and to help bring an end to tensions in the region. He commended the progress made by the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda in recent months to bring about peace and hailed the pact as a historic opportunity.
Sheikh Shakhbout praised the US for hosting the meeting and emphasised that joint action and collaboration – including from Qatar and the African Union – are essential to strengthening peace and stability across Africa.
