US Secretary of State Marco Rubio hosts a "Declaration of Principles" signing ceremony with DRC's Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, left, and Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, right, on Friday, April 25, 2025.
In a historic move, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a US-brokered peace deal in Washington D.C. The agreement aims to halt a long-standing and deadly conflict in eastern DRC, a region rich in minerals and plagued by militia violence. US President Donald Trump, who played a key role in facilitating the deal, touted it as a major diplomatic success. However, skepticism remains over its ability to bring lasting peace.
Trump Declares “A Great Day for Africa”
President Donald Trump hailed the agreement as a global win. Speaking on his platform, Truth Social, he claimed that while he may not receive formal recognition like a Nobel Peace Prize, the people understand his contribution.
“This is a Great Day for Africa,” he posted, “and, quite frankly, a Great Day for the World!”
The peace deal aligns with Trump's vision of the US as a global peacemaker and also positions America closer to the DRC’s valuable mineral resources.
Washington Hosts a Pivotal Signing
On Friday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the signing ceremony. DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe signed the peace deal, marking a symbolic moment after decades of conflict.
“President Trump is a president of peace. He prioritizes it above all else,” said Rubio at the ceremony.
Humanitarian Crisis Continues Despite Deal
The eastern DRC remains in turmoil. Since January, over 7,000 people have died and more than a million have been displaced.
The M23 militia, allegedly backed by Rwanda, continues its occupation of strategic areas. Aid organizations report mass executions, rape, and child abuse.
Despite the peace agreement, the militia has not yet committed to disarmament or disengagement. The M23-led Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) was not part of the US-mediated deal and is pursuing separate talks in Doha, Qatar.
The Roots of the Congo-Rwanda Conflict
The conflict is deeply historical. Daniel Kubelwa, a Congolese activist and researcher, explains it stems from unresolved colonial-era borders and fallout from the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rwanda accuses the DRC of harboring Hutu militias, while the DRC criticizes Rwanda’s alleged support of M23.
M23 claims to protect Tutsi minorities and control mineral-rich zones in eastern Congo. UN investigations suggest that minerals are smuggled from Congo into Rwanda, blending with Rwanda’s own exports.
What the Peace Deal Includes
The US peace deal addresses:
Respect for territorial integrity
Prohibition of hostilities
Disarmament and possible integration of armed groups
Humanitarian access and return of displaced persons
Economic cooperation, including investment in mineral supply chains
Notably, the agreement outlines a framework to boost trade and attract US investors, especially in critical minerals like cobalt and coltan—key components in smartphones and electric vehicles.
Critics Raise Red Flags
Nobel laureate and Congolese activist Denis Mukwege criticized the peace deal. He called it vague and biased in Rwanda’s favor, warning it may whitewash Rwanda’s alleged crimes and promote “economic cooperation” at the cost of justice.
Mukwege stated, “The emerging agreement rewards aggression, legitimizes the plundering of Congolese resources, and sacrifices justice for a fragile peace.”
Political analyst Dady Saleh echoed those concerns, doubting the treaty’s potential to bring true stability.
Will Peace Hold?
Past ceasefires have collapsed quickly. The Qatar-led talks have also struggled, with brief truces followed by renewed violence.
Angola previously attempted mediation, only to withdraw due to lack of progress.
Activist Kubelwa insists that real peace must go beyond paperwork. “Ceasefires alone won’t heal DRC,” he said. “We need fair distribution of resources, inclusive dialogue, and accountability.”
A Fragile Step Toward Peace
The US peace deal between Congo and Rwanda is a significant diplomatic event. But as militias remain armed, mineral interests dominate, and justice is sidelined, lasting peace is far from guaranteed. Only time will reveal whether this agreement marks a turning point or just another chapter in a protracted crisis.
