US President Donald Trump revealed that his Rwandan counterpart, Paul Kagame, informed him that the conflict in the Great Lakes region has been ongoing for 32 years. This statement was made during Trump's address to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 22, 2026. According to Trump, Kagame stated that numerous individuals have attempted to resolve the issue but have been unsuccessful.
The duration of the conflict, as reported by Kagame and relayed by Trump, dates back to a series of crises that have significantly impacted the Great Lakes region since the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The massive displacement of refugees and armed interventions have contributed to the instability in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The two Congo wars, clashes between armed groups and regular forces, as well as interventions by neighboring countries, have resulted in significant population displacement and a substantial loss of life, with millions of fatalities. This historical context enables a broader understanding of the current crisis between Kinshasa and Kigali, marked by accumulated security, political, and regional challenges over the decades.
The statement by Donald Trump comes as Kinshasa and Kigali engage in a diplomatic process supported by Washington. The peace agreement signed on June 27, 2026, serves as the primary bilateral framework to address security disputes and promote normalization of relations between the two countries.
For the Congolese authorities, the implementation of the agreement involves the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from national territory and the activation of a joint security mechanism. Despite this, the situation on the ground remains marked by clashes, with continued violence reported in several areas of North Kivu and South Kivu.
The discussions underway in Doha between the Congolese government and the M23-AFC represent another aspect of the search for a political solution to the crisis. For Kinshasa, the objective is to bring an end to a cycle of violence that has persisted for several decades, with security and humanitarian consequences continuing to affect populations in the eastern part of the country.
The Congolese Press Agency (ACP) reported on the efforts to address the crisis, highlighting the complexities of the situation and the need for effective implementation of agreements to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Key points
- The conflict in the Great Lakes region has lasted 32 years, resulting in millions of deaths.
- A peace agreement was signed on June 27, 2026, to address security disputes and promote normalization of relations between the DRC and Rwanda.
- The implementation of the agreement involves the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from Congolese territory and the activation of a joint security mechanism.
