In a significant diplomatic move, the leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda inked a peace agreement on Thursday, aiming to bring an end to years of devastating conflict in Central Africa. The signing ceremony was hosted by former US President Donald Trump at the newly-renamed Donald J Trump Institute of Peace in Washington.
A Deal Forged Amidst Fresh Fighting
The peace pact comes at a critical time, as eastern DR Congo has witnessed a recent surge in violence. Government forces have been clashing with the M23 rebel group, which is widely believed to receive backing from Rwanda. The DR Congo army accused the M23 of attempting to "sabotage" the peace process, while the rebels countered by claiming the army launched an offensive, breaking a ceasefire. Earlier this year, the M23's capture of large territories caused thousands of deaths and displaced countless civilians from their homes.
Trump's "Great Day" and Promises of Prosperity
At the start of the event, Donald Trump hailed the signing as a "great day" for both Africa and the world. Expressing confidence in the two African leaders, Trump stated, "We'll keep these commitments. I know they're going to keep them and follow through on the agreement and create a much brighter future for the people of their countries." He linked the peace deal directly to future economic gains, promising that the US would send "some of our biggest and greatest companies" to extract valuable minerals, assuring that "everybody's going to make a lot of money."
Regional Support and Key Endorsements
The deal was formally endorsed by DR Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The summit saw attendance from other African leaders, including officials from Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Togo, and Uganda. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and foreign ministers from Qatar and the UAE were also present, according to reports.
President Kagame praised Trump's role, calling him an "even-handed" and pragmatic leader who provided the region with "the clearest and most viable path forward that we have ever had." Meanwhile, President Tshisekedi expressed "deep gratitude and clear hope," emphasizing his expectation that Rwanda would "respect the letter and spirit of the deal."
Pathway to Peace and Economic Investment
The United States has been leading the mediation efforts, with the strategic hope that stabilizing relations between the two nations will unlock the economic potential of the mineral-rich Great Lakes region. The peace agreement is seen as a foundational step towards attracting large-scale foreign investment and fostering development after decades of instability and humanitarian crisis.
The international community now watches closely to see if this Washington-brokered deal can translate into lasting peace on the ground, where conflict has caused immense suffering for millions.
