Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo Sign Historic Peace Agreement in Washington
A major step forward in stabilizing eastern Congo and the wider region was taken in Washington, D.C., as the presidents of Rwanda and Congo signed a long-awaited U.S.-brokered peace agreement. The document, the result of intense negotiations led by the Trump administration, is designed not only to end a decades-long war but also to attract massive investment to the mineral-rich region. The signing ceremony, which was attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and senior officials from both countries, was attended by the foreign ministers of Rwanda and Congo. They unanimously pledged to implement a key agreement to implement peace measures within 90 days. Under the agreement, Rwandan troops are to be withdrawn from eastern Congo by the end of March next year. In addition, the countries are initiating the launch of regional economic integration programs, which will allow strengthening trade ties and developing a common market within three months. The American side made a special emphasis in the speeches. Speaking before the signing, President Trump emphasized: “The war lasted for decades, and many of these conflicts were some of the most brutal in modern history. They were fought with the use of machetes and other weapons, and the scale of the violence is staggering. I was fortunate to mediate in this process, and now we have the opportunity to close this terrible chapter.” He also emphasized that the concluded agreement opens up access for American companies to the extraction of valuable minerals in the region, in particular tantalum, cobalt, gold, copper and lithium, which has significant economic potential. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe called this agreement “a turning point for stabilizing the region and restoring peace.” At the same time, his Congolese counterpart, Teresa Kayikwamba Wagner, noted that the process of troop withdrawal is just beginning, and this step is key to implementing the agreements. Later, Trump personally met with the ministers in the Oval Office, where he handed them letters of congratulations and invitations to visit Washington, which should finally agree on all the details of the documents. Trump's senior adviser on Africa, Massad Boulos, called this document the "Washington Agreement", which can change the entire regional context. During the meeting of diplomats and politicians, it was mentioned that previous peace agreements had not been implemented, which increased concerns about the future. Trump warned of strict sanctions and financial measures in case of any violations. In addition, the parties agreed to launch a mechanism for expanding foreign trade and joint investments in critical minerals, in particular, a separate framework agreement is planned to be signed at the White House in the near future. The situation in eastern Congo remains tense, diplomats and analysts say. In recent years, Rwanda has sent at least 7,000 troops across the border to support the M23 militia. The rebels, who control key areas, have deep roots in the post-1994 genocide, and their support has raised concerns about the potential for a full-scale war that could draw neighboring countries into a wider conflict. Overall, the signing of the agreement marks a new phase in diplomatic efforts to peacefully resolve the conflict in the region. The coming months are expected to bring concrete results and help stabilize this resource-rich, volatile but strategically important part of central Africa.