New York – SANA- United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the signing of a peace agreement by the governments of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, facilitated by the United States Saturday in Washington.

In a statement attributed to the Secretary-General’s spokesperson, it was noted that “this agreement represents an important step toward de-escalation and the establishment of peace and stability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Great Lakes region.”

The statement acknowledged the United States’ leadership in facilitating the process, in coordination with the State of Qatar and African Union mediator Faure Gnassingbé, President of Togo. The Secretary-General also commended the contributions of the five facilitators appointed by the East African Community and the Southern African Development Community.

The statement urged all parties to fully honor their commitments under the peace agreement and in accordance with Security Council Resolution 2773, including the cessation of hostilities and all other agreed measures.

It reaffirmed that the United Nations, including through the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO), remains fully committed to supporting the agreement’s implementation in close coordination with the African Union, regional, and international partners.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed the peace agreement in Washington yesterday, mediated by the United States in an effort to end decades of conflict between the two sides.

Manar Salameh