Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi delivered a message of solemn gratitude to President Donald J. Trump at the December 4, 2025, White House ceremony marking the signing of the Washington Accords. In one of the ceremony’s most notable moments, Tshisekedi publicly thanked Trump, his administration, and the American people for stepping in to mediate a reconciliation that many believed was no longer possible.

“I would like to express, quite solemnly, our deep thanks to the President of the United States of America, Mr. Donald Trump,” Tshisekedi said before the assembled delegates. “I would like to thank his Administration, and I also wish to thank the American people.”

His remarks highlighted the significance of U.S. involvement in ending one of the world’s deadliest ongoing conflicts. The Congo–Rwanda crisis, driven by rebel violence, ethnic tensions, and the struggle over eastern Congo’s mineral-rich territories, has claimed more than six million lives since the late 1990s. Numerous regional and international mediation efforts failed to produce lasting results, leaving millions displaced and instability entrenched.

The Washington Accords—brokered directly by President Trump—represent the most comprehensive peace framework the region has seen in decades. The agreement establishes a permanent ceasefire, mandates the disarmament of armed groups including M23, provides for the safe return of refugees, and introduces mechanisms for accountability for war crimes. The accords were signed alongside a parallel U.S. minerals agreement granting American companies preferential access to Congo’s cobalt and coltan reserves, anchoring peace to economic stability.

Tshisekedi’s praise underscores the transformative role the United States played in achieving the breakthrough. According to Congolese officials, Trump’s personal engagement, high-pressure diplomacy, and willingness to link security with economic incentives created momentum that previous initiatives—such as the Nairobi and Luanda processes—were unable to generate.

The ceremony, held at the White House and followed by events at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, showcased the administration’s commitment to restoring stability in central Africa while simultaneously strengthening America’s position in global mineral supply chains.

For supporters of the Trump Administration, Tshisekedi’s remarks serve as another powerful affirmation of American leadership on the world stage. They reflect a growing sentiment among regional leaders that U.S.-driven diplomacy—backed by strength, clarity, and economic partnerships—can succeed where multilateral institutions have repeatedly fallen short.

As the Washington Accords move into implementation, challenges will remain. But Tshisekedi’s message made one thing clear: without President Trump’s intervention, the Congo–Rwanda rapprochement would not have been possible. The Democratic Republic of Congo is now publicly aligning itself with the United States in hopes of securing a future built on peace, accountability, and shared prosperity.