Interview: Congo’s Foreign Minister on the Gaps Between Diplomacy and War at Home

The Democratic Republic of the Congo's Foreign Minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, spoke in New York City in July 2026 during her country’s rotating presidency in the United Nations Security Council. The conversation followed the DRC’s recent acquisition of a permanent seat on the council, marking a significant diplomatic milestone. Wagner discussed the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, which has persisted for over three decades, involving Rwandan-backed rebels and the continued occupation of resource-rich regions. Despite numerous peace agreements and international interventions, the situation remains volatile, with violence continuing to affect millions of Congolese citizens. The conflict began in earnest in 1999 with the signing of the Lusaka Agreement, which aimed to bring an end to hostilities in eastern Congo. This was followed by the 2002 Pretoria Agreement, which outlined the conditions for the withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the DRC. Over the years, several other accords were negotiated, including the 2007 Nairobi Communiqué, the 2008 Goma Peace Agreement, the 2013 Addis Ababa Framework, and the Nairobi-Luanda tracks in 2022 and 2023. These agreements attempted to address both regional tensions and internal conflicts within the DRC. However, none have managed to fully resolve the underlying issues, leading to a cycle of renewed violence and failed negotiations. In February 2025, the DRC took a bold step by pushing the United Nations Security Council to take action against the Rwandan-financed M23 rebels and Rwanda itself. This effort culminated in Resolution 2773, the first Council document to explicitly name Rwanda as a party to the conflict. The resolution included calls for United States sanctions against individuals linked to the war. Additionally, a coalition of Congolese rights groups urged the UN Human Rights Council to establish an independent commission to investigate alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian laws in the North and South Kivu provinces. Despite these diplomatic efforts, the situation remained dire. In 2025, the DRC and Rwanda signed the Washington Accord, a peace agreement brokered by the Trump administration. The accord aimed to secure Rwanda’s troop withdrawal from eastern Congo while facilitating joint economic investments. However, days after the agreement was signed, M23 rebels captured the town of Uvira in South Kivu, directly violating the terms of the pact. The United States responded by imposing sanctions on Rwanda’s entire military, signaling a shift in policy toward greater accountability. For the ordinary Congolese, however, the persistence of violence means little. Families continue to suffer from loss, displacement, and the trauma of living under constant threat. The gap between diplomatic achievements and the reality on the ground remains vast, leaving many disillusioned with the effectiveness of international mediation. Wagner, who has served as the DRC’s foreign minister since June 2024, brings a wealth of experience to her role. Prior to joining the government, she worked with the German development agency GIZ, the United Nations, Oxfam, and Meta. Her academic background includes a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard Kennedy School, along with additional qualifications from Fordham University, the Global Campus of Human Rights in Venice, and Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany. Born in Kinshasa in 1983 to a Congolese mother and a German father, she represents a unique blend of cultural perspectives that inform her approach to diplomacy. During the interview, Wagner acknowledged the challenges facing the DRC, emphasizing the need for sustained political will and international support. While the Washington Accord represented progress, she stressed that much work remains to be done to ensure lasting peace and security for all Congolese. As the DRC continues to navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, the path forward remains uncertain, shaped by both hope and the enduring scars of prolonged conflict.