On Thursday, January 22^nd, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, will chair his fourteenth congressional hearing focused exclusively on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, including the political unrest and human rights violations occurring in the region.

             In wake of President Trump’s historic peace deal between Rwanda and the DRC on December 4^th, 2025, this hearing will examine the United States’ role in overseeing the peace process and how the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity will function to achieve lasting peace, stability, and wealth in the war-torn region.

WHAT: Congressional hearing on the status of the DRC-Rwanda conflict and the implementation of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity to attain concord in the region.

WHEN: Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 2:00 PM

WITNESSES: (Partial list)

• Ms. Sarah Troutman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, U.S. Department of State

WHERE: 2172 Rayburn House Office Building

WHO: Chairman Chris Smith, other members of the HFAC Africa Subcommittee, and witnesses

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