On Tuesday, February 10^th, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee, will chair his fifteenth congressional hearing focused exclusively on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, including the geopolitical conflict 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 role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in helping to facilitate the implementation of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity.

WHAT: Congressional hearing on the role of NGOs in facilitating the directives of the Washington Accords to achieve lasting peace, stability, and wealth in the DRC and Rwanda.

WHEN: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM

WITNESSES: (Partial list)

• The Honorable Tony Hall, Africa New Day
• Mr. Ethan Tan, Policy Analyst, American Security, America First Policy Institute
• Christian-Géraud Neema, Nonresident Scholar, Africa Program, Carnegie Endorsement for International Peace

WHERE: 2200 Rayburn House Office Building and livestreaming on YouTube

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

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