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State Department to host Rwanda–DRC ministerial signing; welcomes release of U.S. hostage Idan Alexander
Summary
The State Department said technical teams from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda initialed a peace agreement, and that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will witness a ministerial signing at the department on June 27. The spokesperson also welcomed the release of U.S. hostage Idan Alexander.
The State Department announced that technical teams from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda initialed a text of a peace agreement after three days of talks and that a ministerial signing will take place next Friday, June 27, at the State Department.
"Next Friday, June 27, Secretary of State Marco Rubio will witness the ministerial signing of that peace agreement right here at the Department of State," the spokesperson said, calling the step "a milestone achievement and a significant step toward peace in that region." The department said implementation of the agreement would allow the economic investment and development that officials hope will follow.
The spokesperson also welcomed the release of Idan Alexander, a U.S. citizen who had been held hostage by Hamas, saying, "His release is a reminder of our commitment to Americans wherever they may be in the world," and described scenes of his return as "truly heartwarming."
Why it matters: A ministerial signing witnessed by the secretary of state signals a high-level U.S. diplomatic role in supporting the agreement; the release of a U.S. hostage underscores ongoing consular priorities in crises.
Ending: The State Department said it looks forward to developments on the DRC–Rwanda agreement following the planned June 27 signing and reiterated its commitment to Americans abroad.
