The top diplomats from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace agreement in Washington on Friday, aiming to end a protracted conflict in eastern Congo that has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands since fighting escalated this year.
President Trump, who attended the signing ceremony alongside the diplomats and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, described the event as a “glorious triumph” and stated, “This is a long time waiting.”
The two nations began drafting the accord two months prior, with Trump highlighting his administration's role as a mediator, despite ongoing violence in eastern Congo. He noted that Massad Boulos, a senior adviser for Africa at the State Department, played a significant role in the negotiations.
The government of Qatar also contributed to brokering the deal. During the event, Trump positioned himself as a global peacemaker while discussing other international conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and his efforts for increased NATO military spending.
Trump's celebratory remarks contrasted sharply with his previous rhetoric regarding Africa and Congo, where he has made unsubstantiated claims about the country sending violent individuals to the U.S. border. On this occasion, he received praise from the visiting leaders for his administration’s diplomatic efforts.
Congo’s foreign minister, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, referred to the peace agreement as “a remarkable milestone” but urged Trump to ensure the United States remains committed to enforcing the agreement. She emphasized the importance of U.S. accountability in the process.
Earlier, Trump indicated that the agreement would facilitate U.S. access to critical minerals in Congo, which is the world’s leading cobalt supplier, with significant Chinese investment in mining.
Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, called for focus on implementing the agreement to usher in a new era, acknowledging past failures to execute similar agreements.
However, the practical implementation of the peace agreement remains uncertain, particularly regarding enforcement by the United States and other nations. Trump stated that there would be severe penalties for any violations of the agreement.
The conflict in the Great Lakes region of eastern Congo has persisted for over three decades, rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and civil war. The violence has involved ethnic groups from both Rwanda and Congo, with recent accusations against Rwanda for 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 and continue to pose a threat.
Despite the U.S. administration's involvement in seeking resolution to this long-standing conflict, the agreement is viewed as only a partial solution, as it does not address many key actors, including the M23 militia, Uganda, and Burundi, which also have military presence in eastern Congo.
The M23 militia controls significant areas in the eastern provinces of North and South Kivu, establishing parallel administrations. An early draft of the Washington-brokered deal assumed prior agreements with M23 had been reached, but this has not materialized.
Experts have raised concerns that the U.S. agreement may leave critical issues regarding M23 unresolved, potentially prolonging the conflict. Critics argue that the deal compromises Congo’s resources with no accountability for past crimes or assurances against future aggression.
Dr. Denis Mukwege, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate known for his advocacy for survivors of sexual violence in Congo, expressed disappointment, stating that he believes the U.S. could play a more constructive role in fostering lasting peace.