Thursday, March 5, 2026

Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) on the Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

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U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE


 

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03/05/2026 02:54 PM EST

Office of the Spokesperson

The Governments of the United States of America, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, chaired by Sweden, issue the following statement on situation in the eastern DRC:

Begin Text

The ICG expresses its profound concern regarding the continued and recent violations in eastern DRC of the ceasefires upheld by the signing of the Washington Accords on 4 December 2025 and the commitment in Doha on 19 July 2025 to a permanent ceasefire and a permanent cessation of hostilities. Such violations include the use of drones in military attacks which also pose an acute risk to civilian populations. All parties involved should urgently and unequivocally recommit to ceasing the hostilities and return to negotiations.

There can be no military solution to the conflict.

We urge all parties to fully implement their obligations and commitments made under the Washington Accords and the Doha process and to comply with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, including resolutions 2773 and 2808, and the full respect of territorial integrity. The ICG commends the ongoing mediation by the AU-appointed mediator, Faure Gnassingbé, President of the Council of the Republic of Togo, and the Panel of Facilitators, as well as the crucial mediation conducted by the US and Qatar. We welcome the efforts by Qatar, the ICGLR and MONUSCO to establish a ceasefire monitoring and verification mechanism. We recall the importance of creating conditions for an inclusive inter-Congolese dialogue with all key Congolese stakeholders – a necessary element for durable peace in the DRC – and welcome the consultations undertaken by the Republic of Angola.

We stand ready to support these efforts.

The ICG calls on all parties to honor their obligations to respect international humanitarian law and to ensure full, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access to enable critical assistance to those in need. We welcome positive steps forward such as the commitments by governments and actors in the region to improve and facilitate humanitarian access, including following the visit of EU Commissioner Lahbib; the reopening of the border between the DRC and Burundi; and the use of the Goma airport during the recent visit to Goma by MONUSCO Interim Head and Special Representative of the Secretary-General van de Perre, which should lead to the sustained reopening of the Goma airport for humanitarian flights.

The ICG further calls on parties to stop incitement to hatred, discrimination or violence, including against Rwandophone minorities, and other actions that gravely endanger civilian populations and social cohesion.

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Wednesday, March 4, 2026

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Monday, March 2, 2026

Sanctioning Rwandan Violators of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity

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U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE


 

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03/02/2026 01:15 PM EST

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

Today, the United States is sanctioning the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) and four senior RDF officers for their direct operational support to the March 23 Movement (M23) and its affiliates in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Just days after President Trump presided over the December 4, 2025 signing of the historic Joint Declaration of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity with DRC President Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Kagame, Rwanda-backed M23 fighters captured the Congolese city of Uvira, in clear violation of the Washington Accords. M23, a U.S.- and UN-sanctioned entity, is responsible for horrific human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians, including women and children. The continued backing from the RDF and its senior leadership has enabled M23 to capture DRC sovereign territory and continue these grave abuses.

The United States stands firm in its support for peace and stability in eastern DRC and the wider region. The Washington Accords mark a decisive turning point for the Great Lakes region, setting a new course for peace, cooperation, and prosperity among neighbors. Today's action demonstrates U.S. resolve to uphold the Washington Accords. As President Trump has made clear, the United States is prepared to use all available tools to ensure the DRC and Rwanda deliver on the promises of this historic agreement.

Today's action is being taken pursuant to the authorities under Executive Order (E.O.) 13413, as amended. For more information on today's action, please see the Department of the Treasury's press release.


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Friday, February 27, 2026

Pursuing Sustainable Health Outcomes Under the Trump Administration’s America First Global Health Strategy in the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Guinea, and the Republic of El Salvador

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U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE


 

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02/27/2026 08:13 PM EST

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

Today, the United States signed bilateral health cooperation Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Republic of Guatemala, the Republic of Guinea, and the Republic of El Salvador, advancing the Trump Administration's America First Global Health Strategy across two continents. These MOUs establish frameworks for sustainable, country-led health systems while strengthening disease detection and response capabilities that protect both partner nations and American communities from emerging health threats.

In Guatemala, the Department of State, working with Congress, intends to provide nearly $60 million, while Guatemala will invest $1.6 million in new domestic expenditures through this MOU. The MOU also establishes a robust surveillance, laboratory, and outbreak response system capable of detecting infectious disease outbreaks within seven days, notifying international authorities within one day, and implementing response actions within seven days—protecting both Guatemalan and American populations from regional health threats.

The United States and the Republic of Guinea signed a five-year $142 million bilateral health cooperation MOU that establishes a clear transition toward Guinea's independent health system management by 2030.  The Department of State, working with Congress, intends to provide over $91 million to support HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal and child health, polio eradication, and global health security programming, while Guinea commits to co-invest over $51 million.  The partnership prioritizes strengthening Guinea's laboratory networks with biosafety and biosecurity management aligned with international standards by 2027, enhanced malaria surveillance through laboratory quality control and epidemiological investigations, and explicit skills transfer to national collaborators for sustainable capacity.

In the Republic of El Salvador, the Department of State, working with Congress, intends to provide up to nearly $31.9 million over the next five years to support El Salvador's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and bolster disease surveillance and outbreak response capabilities.  El Salvador commits to increasing its domestic health expenditures by over $19.7 million, demonstrating its commitment to greater national ownership of its health system.  As part of the nearly $31.9 million U.S. investment, $7.9 million will be allocated to Global Health Security initiatives.  This includes strengthening disease surveillance capabilities and ensuring El Salvador has the tools to quickly respond to and contain outbreak threats before they spread.

America First Global Health Strategy Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed so far represent more than $20.2 billion in new health funding including more than $12.5 billion in U.S. assistance alongside $7.7 billion in co-investment from recipient countries, building on decades of progress fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases around the world.  As of February 27, the State Department has signed 24 bilateral global health MOUs with Botswana, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Guinea, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.


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Bolstering Infectious Disease Outbreak Prevention and Response in Niger and the Dominican Republic Through the America First Global Health Strategy

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U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE


 

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02/27/2026 09:11 AM EST

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

On February 26, the United States signed bilateral health cooperation Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the Dominican Republic and the Republic of Niger, reinforcing U.S. leadership in global health while advancing country ownership under the Trump Administration's America First Global Health Strategy.

In the Dominican Republic, the United States signed a five-year bilateral health cooperation MOU. Under the MOU, working with Congress, the Department of State intends to provide up to $46.7 million to support the Dominican Republic's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS and other health threats. The Government of the Dominican Republic commits to increasing its own domestic health expenditures by $14.1 million over the course of the five-year MOU.

The $60.8 million MOU with the Dominican Republic includes over $6 million in global health security funding to establish a 7-1-7 surveillance system capable of detecting infectious disease outbreaks within seven days, notifying the U.S. government within one day, and initiating response within seven days. By 2028, the Dominican Republic will assume full responsibility for all health commodities, frontline healthcare workers, and laboratory systems, with U.S. support focused on surveillance and new health innovations.

In Niger, the United States signed a five-year, $179.3 million bilateral health cooperation MOU. Under the MOU, working with Congress, the Department of State intends to provide up to $107.4 million to support Niger's efforts to combat malaria, strengthen maternal and child health, and bolster disease surveillance and outbreak response. The Government of Niger commits to increasing its own domestic health expenditures by $71.9 million over the course of the five-year MOU.

The MOU with the Republic of Niger includes $5 million in global health security funding and work to establish a comprehensive digital health ecosystem, including an integrated suite of six health information systems covering electronic medical records, laboratory management, pharmacy management, surveillance and outbreak response, commodity inventory, and a national data warehouse.

These MOUs, together worth over $240 million in U.S. taxpayer dollars and recipient nation co-investments, protects Americans by strengthening infectious disease surveillance and response systems in the Dominican Republic and Niger, essential for detecting and containing infectious disease outbreaks before they reach U.S. shores. By requiring substantial co-investment from both countries and transitioning them toward national ownership, these MOUs deliver greater value for American taxpayers while maintaining critical health security partnerships.

America First Global Health Strategy Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed so far represent nearly $20 billion in new health funding including more than $12.4 billion in U.S. assistance alongside $7.6 billion in co-investment from recipient countries, building on decades of progress in improving health security and fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases around the world. As of February 27, the State Department has signed 21 bilateral global health MOUs with Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Dominican Republic, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Panama, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.


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Thursday, February 26, 2026

Fostering Health Sovereignty in the Democratic Republic of the Congo Through the America First Global Health Strategy 

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U.S. DEPARTMENT of  STATE


 

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02/26/2026 12:11 PM EST

Thomas "Tommy" Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson

Today, the United States and the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a five-year bilateral health cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that advances the America First Global Health Strategy while protecting Americans and Congolese from infectious disease threats. 

Under the MOU, working with Congress, the Department of State intends to provide up to $900 million over the next five years to support the DRC's efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child deaths, and other infectious diseases, while bolstering disease surveillance and outbreak response. The Government of the DRC commits to increasing its own domestic health expenditures by $300 million over the course of the five-year MOU, assuming greater self-reliance in its own health system. 

This $1.2 billion MOU safeguards Americans by strengthening the DRC's capacity to detect and contain infectious disease outbreaks before they spread internationally. The MOU includes global health security funding to establish a national integrated surveillance and outbreak response system, including a high-quality laboratory network capable of detecting and investigating infectious disease outbreaks within seven days. Under this system, relevant authorities, including the United States and other partners, will coordinate epidemic preparedness and rapid response measures to contain outbreaks and prevent their spread to neighboring areas. 

The MOU focuses on strengthening frontline health workers through the professionalization of Community Health Workers (CHWs) with integrated training and sustainable remuneration, while modernizing data and disease surveillance systems with enhanced electronic medical records and interoperable platforms. Additionally, the MOU will accelerate the introduction and scale-up of health innovations, including rapid diagnostic tools for neonatal sepsis, and expand integrated delivery of essential health services for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, polio, and maternal and child health. By building the DRC's capacity to independently manage these health priorities, the United States will reduce long-term dependency on American assistance while ensuring infectious disease threats are detected and contained before they can reach American shores. 

America First Global Health Strategy Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) signed so far represent nearly $19.8 billion in new health funding including more than $12.2 billion in U.S. assistance alongside $7.5 billion in co-investment from recipient countries, building on decades of progress fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases around the world.  As of February 26, the State Department has signed 19 bilateral global health MOUs with Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Panama, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Uganda.  


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Joint Statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes (ICG) on the Situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

U.S. DEPARTMENT of   STATE   You are subscribed to Africa. Here is new content for thi...