The top diplomats from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace agreement in Washington on Friday, aiming to end a devastating war in eastern Congo that has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands since fighting escalated this year.
The State Department, under Secretary of State Marco Rubio, facilitated talks between the two nations. Mr. Rubio welcomed the foreign ministers to the Harry S. Truman Building for the signing ceremony, which was met with applause from the attendees.
Mr. Rubio expressed gratitude to both diplomats for their efforts, acknowledging the challenges involved in reaching the agreement.
Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, stated that Rwanda is prepared to work collaboratively with the Democratic Republic of Congo on their mutual commitments. Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, the foreign minister from Congo, referred to the peace agreement as “a new chapter,” while also noting that past traumas would linger.
The two countries began drafting the accord two months prior, with President Trump highlighting his administration’s mediating role, despite ongoing fighting. He mentioned Massad Boulos, a senior adviser for Africa, as instrumental in the negotiations.
Qatar also played a significant role in brokering the deal. President Trump acknowledged his limited knowledge of the conflict but emphasized the severity of the violence, describing it as one of the worst wars in history. He also indicated that the United States would gain access to critical minerals in Congo, which is the world’s leading cobalt supplier.
The effectiveness of the peace agreement remains uncertain, particularly regarding enforcement by both sides and the involvement of the United States and other nations.
The conflict in the Great Lakes region of eastern Congo has persisted for over three decades, originating from the genocide and civil war in Rwanda in 1994. The violence has involved ethnic groups from both countries, particularly the Hutus and Tutsis. In recent years, Congolese officials have accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 militia, which invaded Congo in 2021.
Rwandan officials have expressed concerns about Hutus in eastern Congo who were involved in the genocide of Tutsis, claiming they pose an ongoing threat.
Despite the peace agreement, the war shows no signs of abating. While the Trump administration has been commended for its efforts to resolve this long-standing conflict, the agreement is viewed as just one aspect of a broader solution needed.
The deal does not address many key players in the conflict, including M23, Uganda, and Burundi, which also have military presence in eastern Congo. M23 currently controls significant areas in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu and is establishing parallel administrations.
Critics argue that the agreement fails to adequately address the M23 situation, which poses a risk of continued conflict if issues regarding territorial control and legal status are not resolved. Dr. Denis Mukwege, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, criticized the agreement for potentially sharing Congo’s wealth with its aggressors without ensuring justice for past crimes or preventing future violence, expressing hope for a more effective U.S. role in fostering lasting peace.