(Statement by Press Secretary KITAMURA Toshihiro)

June 30, 2025
Japanese
1. Japan welcomes the signing of the Peace Agreement between H.E.Ms. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, State Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and H.E. Mr. Olivier Nduhungirehe, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, in the presence of the Honorable Marco Rubio, Secretary of State of the United States of America on June 27 (EST). Japan expresses respect for the mediation efforts by the United States, Qatar and African Union (AU) in reaching this agreement and the efforts made thus far by all parties to reach a diplomatic and political solution.
2. Japan considers that in order to achieve sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region, it is important to ensure the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC and other countries in the region, as well as a diplomatic and political solution to the problems provided by the DRC, the Republic of Rwanda and other countries in the region. Japan hopes that this agreement will lead to a ceasefire, improvement in the humanitarian situation of the residents and displaced persons in the eastern region of the DRC, and to the realization of sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region.