United States President Donald Trump on Thursday applauded the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for “settling a war that has been going on for decades,” as the two nations signed an agreement aimed at ending conflict in eastern Congo.
During a televised ceremony in Washington, Trump used the moment to highlight what he described as his role as a global dealmaker.
“These are two men that are doing a great job,” Trump said, praising Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. “They want to get onto other ways of living for their people and they are great leaders.”
The event unfolded against the backdrop of new reports of clashes in South Kivu province between the Congolese military and M23 rebels, a group widely believed to be backed by Rwanda.
Despite the tensions, Kagame and Tshisekedi struck an optimistic tone as they formalized the agreement.
“No one was asking President Trump to take up this task. Our region is far from the headlines,” Kagame remarked. “But when the president saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it.”
Tshisekedi echoed the sentiment, calling the deal a potential turning point. “I do believe this day is the beginning of a new path demanding, yes, and quite difficult. But this is a path where peace becomes not just a wish, but a real possibility.”
Analysts, however, cautioned that the deal is unlikely to bring rapid peace or ease the humanitarian crisis in the region. Notably, the M23 rebel group did not participate in the Washington negotiations and is not bound by the terms of the Rwanda–Congo agreement. The group is engaged in separate, Qatar-mediated discussions with the DRC.
The White House described Thursday’s pact as a “historic” agreement following months of diplomatic efforts involving the U.S., the African Union, and Qatar. It formalizes a preliminary deal reached in June and reinforces an existing Regional Economic Integration Framework meant to structure economic cooperation between the countries.
Trump also announced new bilateral agreements between Washington and both Rwanda and the DRC, aimed at expanding U.S. access to critical minerals and creating economic opportunities for all three nations.
