Interview – Robert Dussey on the Rwanda-DRC deal: “Togo and Qatar delivered where others failed”

It marks a rare diplomatic breakthrough and a fresh hope for Central Africa. On Friday in Washington, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a peace agreement brokered by the United States. The deal, widely welcomed by the international community, is also the result of sustained African mediation led by Togo and Qatar. 

Mandated by the African Union, Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé personally invested in the negotiations, working closely with his Rwandan and Congolese counterparts.

Togo’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Dussey, who attended the signing ceremony, speaks to Mena Today about the significance of this accord, the pivotal role played by Togo, and the prospects it opens for lasting peace in the Great Lakes region.

Mena Today: Minister Dussey, you were present in Washington on Friday for the signing of the peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. What does this agreement mean for both countries and for the broader Central African region?

Robert Dussey: This is a milestone not only for the DRC and Rwanda, but for the entire Central African region. We are turning a new page. The suffering, the displacement, the instability—these are scars that have lasted too long. This agreement signals a shift toward dialogue, reconstruction, and regional cohesion. It demonstrates that even the most entrenched crises can find peaceful resolution when there is genuine political will and support from the international community.

Mena Today: The African Union appointed Togo as a mediator in this conflict. Can you elaborate on the role Togo played in reaching this agreement?

Robert Dussey: Under the leadership of His Excellency Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, we engaged in months of discreet but determined diplomacy. Togo has long positioned itself as a quiet but effective mediator on the continent. We listened to both sides, built trust, and created the space for dialogue to flourish. President Gnassingbé held numerous calls and consultations with his counterparts in both Kigali and Kinshasa to keep channels open, even when tensions ran high.

Our role was not to dictate, but to facilitate. We acted as a bridge between the parties, and we worked in close coordination with our partners, particularly the United States and Qatar. This was a true multilateral effort.

Mena Today: Speaking of Qatar, what was their contribution to this peace process?

Robert Dussey: Qatar played an essential and constructive role, particularly in keeping diplomatic momentum alive when talks reached difficult phases. Their experience as mediators in other complex regional conflicts was invaluable. We coordinated closely. Qatar’s support in aligning mediation strategies and applying soft power where needed helped create the conditions for success.

Together, Togo and Qatar represented a model of South–South diplomatic cooperation that prioritizes stability, development, and African ownership of African solutions.

Mena Today: What comes next after the agreement?

Robert Dussey: Implementation is everything. The agreement commits Rwanda to a full troop withdrawal from eastern Congo within 90 days and sets the foundation for a regional economic integration framework. 

We, as mediators, are not stepping away. Togo will remain fully engaged in monitoring progress and offering support to both sides to ensure that the peace holds. We believe this deal can become a model of post-conflict transformation.