US President Donald Trump has taken a significant step toward diplomatic engagement in Africa by signing a peace deal with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. This agreement aims to address the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which has plagued the region for decades. The signing ceremony took place in Washington, where both African leaders also engaged in discussions with Trump about critical mineral deals that would benefit American firms and facilitate access to resources essential for modern technologies.
After the signing, Trump expressed optimism about the potential impact of the agreement, referencing the historical animosities between Rwanda and the DRC. “They spent a lot of time killing each other, and now they are going to spend a lot of time hugging, holding hands and taking advantage of the United States economically,” he remarked. Trump framed this peace deal as a step towards his broader goal of securing a Nobel Peace Prize.
Kagame and Tshisekedi, however, were more measured in their responses to the agreement. Kagame acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating, “There will be ups and downs on the road ahead, there is no doubt about it.” Tshisekedi referred to the deal as the beginning of a “new path,” while stressing the demanding nature of the journey that lies ahead.
Despite the optimism from the U.S. administration, fresh violence erupted in eastern DRC on the day of the signing, bringing into question the viability of the peace agreement. The M23 armed group, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has recently intensified their operations against Congolese forces, with reports of significant clashes and civilian casualties. An AFP journalist reported on the ground activity, including weapon fire and bombings resulting in numerous deaths and damage to homes in towns under M23 control.
As the atmosphere remains tense, local sources have noted a considerable reinforcement of M23 troops in strategic areas, raising further concerns about the deteriorating security situation. The continued violence underscores the difficulty of achieving lasting peace in a region that has a history of deep-rooted conflict.
In addition to the peace talks, Trump highlighted the importance of accessing critical minerals from both nations, especially from the conflict-ridden eastern DRC, which is rich in resources vital for technologies such as electric vehicles. He described the potential for significant economic opportunities, stating, “We’re going to take out some of the rare earth, and everybody’s going to make a lot of money.”
This recent diplomatic initiative follows a series of attempts to mediate the DRC’s ongoing conflicts. The reality on the ground, however, remains fraught with challenges, leaving many to question the long-term effectiveness of the U.S.-brokered peace deal and the ability of the involved parties to adhere to its terms amidst continued violence.
