Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a US-brokered peace agreement, aiming to halt a conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands this year.
The deal, spearheaded by the administration of US President Donald Trump, also seeks to attract billions in Western investment to the mineral-rich region, known for its tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium deposits.
Key Tenets of the Agreement
Signed in Washington D.C. by the foreign ministers of both nations, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio present, the agreement commits them to fulfilling a 2024 accord.
Rwandan Troop Withdrawal: Rwandan forces are to withdraw from eastern Congo within 90 days.
Economic Integration: A regional economic integration framework will be launched within 90 days.
Security Coordination: A joint security coordination mechanism is to be established within 30 days.
Monitoring and Verification: A plan to monitor and verify the Rwandan withdrawal will be implemented within three months.
DFLR Operations: Congolese military operations against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (DFLR), an armed group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, are also expected to conclude within this timeframe.
Trump’s Perspective and US Interests
President Trump underscored the severity of the conflict, calling it “one of the worst wars that anyone has ever seen.”
He also highlighted the US interest in securing “a lot of the mineral rights from the Congo as part of it,” stating that the nations were “so honored to be here.”
The Conflict’s Roots and Recent Escalation
Analysts and diplomats report that Rwanda has deployed at least 7,000 soldiers across the border in support of the M23 rebels.
These rebels seized eastern Congo’s two largest cities and lucrative mining areas in a swift advance earlier this year.
This recent surge in violence is part of a decades-old conflict stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide, raising fears of a broader regional war.
While Congo, the United Nations, and Western powers accuse Rwanda of backing M23 with troops and arms, Rwanda denies these claims.
Rwanda asserts its forces are acting in self-defense against Congo’s army and ethnic Hutu militias linked to the genocide.
Economic Promises and Remaining Hurdles
Massad Boulos, Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, had previously indicated that Washington sought simultaneous signing of the peace and mineral deals.
The agreement signed Friday allows Congo and Rwanda three months to establish a framework to boost foreign trade and investment in critical mineral supply chains.
A source close to the matter revealed that a separate economic framework agreement is expected to be signed by the heads of state at a later White House event.
Progress in ongoing, parallel talks in Doha between the Congolese government and M23 rebels is considered essential before this economic framework can be finalized.
Despite the optimism, experts like Jason Stearns of Simon Fraser University caution that similar agreements have been attempted before.
He noted that it will be up to the US, as the “godfather of this deal,” to ensure both sides adhere to the terms.