Rwanda And DR Congo Sign Peace Deal In US

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) formalized a peace accord in Washington on Friday, representing a major attempt to end a conflict that has taken thousands of lives in the DRC’s mineral-rich eastern region. The agreement, facilitated with Qatari assistance and signed at the U.S. State Department, seeks to stop backing for rebel groups and promote stability, though analysts remain wary about its long-term effectiveness.

U.S. President Donald Trump, who welcomed the foreign ministers of both nations at the White House, hailed the agreement as a diplomatic triumph. “Today, the violence and destruction comes to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope and opportunity,” he said. Trump also emphasized potential U.S. access to Congolese mineral rights, calling the day “wonderful.”

The peace accord comes after a resurgence of the M23 rebel group, an ethnic Tutsi militia reportedly linked to Rwanda, which overran parts of eastern DRC earlier this year, seizing key areas including the strategic city of Goma. Although Rwanda has denied directly supporting the group, it has repeatedly demanded the disarmament of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia tied to the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

The agreement stipulates an end to all forms of state support for armed groups, including the FDLR, and requires Rwanda to cease its so-called “defensive measures.” Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe stressed that neutralizing the FDLR is critical. “The irreversible and verifiable end to state support to the FDLR should be the first order of business,” he said.

Despite supporting the deal, Nduhungirehe expressed reservations, citing the region’s history of unfulfilled agreements. “We must acknowledge that there is a great deal of uncertainty in our region, and beyond, because many previous agreements have not been implemented,” he added.

Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner underscored the importance of the agreement respecting national sovereignty. “It offers a rare chance to turn the page, not just with words but with real change on the ground. Some wounds will heal, but they will never fully disappear,” she said.

The accord also outlines the establishment of a joint security coordination body and loosely commits to creating a regional economic integration framework within three months.

President Trump, who seemed unfamiliar with the conflict’s historical context, referenced the 1994 genocide by stating, “They were going at it for many years with machetes,” and claimed credit for the peace breakthrough. He told reporters the U.S. would secure “a lot of mineral rights from the Congo,” referring to the country’s vast reserves of cobalt and lithium, critical for electric vehicles and other technologies, currently dominated by Chinese companies.

The agreement garnered international support. UN Secretary-General António Guterres described it as “a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability,” while leaders from Germany and France praised it as a historic opportunity that requires careful implementation.

However, not all reactions were positive. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Denis Mukwege, known for his work with survivors of s3xual violence in the DRC, criticized the agreement, arguing it unfairly favors Rwanda and the U.S. “It would amount to granting a reward for aggression, legitimising the plundering of Congolese natural resources, and forcing the victim to alienate their national heritage by sacrificing justice,” he said in a statement.

Physicians for Human Rights also voiced concerns, highlighting the lack of mechanisms to ensure accountability for human rights violations in the region’s prolonged conflict.

While the peace accord represents a potential turning point, its success hinges on consistent implementation, accountability, and whether it brings meaningful change for those affected on the ground.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli