President Paul Kagame has praised U.S. President Donald Trump for his direct involvement in brokering a framework agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, calling it a historic step toward resolving a long-standing regional conflict.
In an interview with Al Jazeera, Kagame said Trump’s engagement was unprecedented in both visibility and focus. He noted that no previous U.S. administration had brought this level of attention and energy to the Rwanda–DRC conflict.
“There is focus, there is attention, to this level, where the two leaders of Rwanda and the DRC have come to meet with the president of the United States, who has paid attention to this problem,” Kagame said. “The amount of visibility and energy to resolve this problem has never been like this before.”
Kagame highlighted Trump’s pragmatic and results-oriented approach, contrasting it with traditional Western methods that often prioritize theory over practical outcomes.
He said the transactional style, focusing on measurable results and economic and security interests, offers a more effective way to address complex regional problems.
He also credited Trump with personally convening leaders in Washington, creating a platform for meaningful negotiation.
While Kagame emphasized that the signing of the agreement is only the first step and that its success depends on all parties, he said Trump’s involvement increases the chances of tangible progress.
Kagame suggested Trump’s efforts could merit international recognition, noting the difficulty of stabilizing a historically volatile region and the importance of global leadership in supporting local solutions.
For Kagame, the U.S. president’s engagement represents a shift from decades of stalled talks and symbolic gestures toward concrete, results-driven diplomacy that addresses political, security, and economic issues simultaneously.
He said the framework agreement provides an opportunity to address the root causes of the conflict and called for full commitment from all parties to ensure its success.
“President Trump’s engagement gives us a chance to focus on the real issues and find solutions that matter for our people,” Kagame said. “If we all do our part, this could be a turning point in the region’s history.”