The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda signed a landmark peace agreement on Friday in a U.S. brokered effort to end decades of violence in eastern Congo while also deepening American access to the region’s valuable mineral resources.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as “an important moment after 30 years of war.” President Donald Trump, who also took credit for the breakthrough, said the deal resolved “one of the worst wars anyone’s ever seen” and would provide the U.S. with significant Congolese mineral rights.
More than 100 armed groups have operated in eastern Congo, with millions killed in conflicts since the 1990s. The most prominent among them is the M23 rebel group, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda. Though the deal is a step toward de-escalation, analysts caution that it’s unlikely to halt the violence overnight.
Foreign Ministers Sign On, But Doubts Remain
Congo’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwanda’s Olivier Nduhungirehe signed the agreement in the presence of U.S. officials. Both diplomats acknowledged the depth of the conflict and stressed the importance of sustained effort and international support.
“Those who have suffered the most are watching… We cannot fail them,” said Wagner.
“There is no doubt the road ahead will not be easy,” Nduhungirehe added, pointing to the failures of past agreements.
Qatar was praised for its quiet diplomacy in facilitating the pact, which includes clauses on halting hostilities, respecting territorial integrity, and disarming non-state armed groups.
Mineral Access and Geopolitical Interests
At the center of the deal is access to eastern Congo’s vast deposits of cobalt, coltan, and other critical minerals. These are essential to modern technology from smartphones to advanced military hardware and their control is increasingly part of the strategic rivalry between the U.S. and China in Africa.
While American companies may benefit from new resource deals, concerns remain that justice and accountability are being sidelined.
“This deal imposes a partnership between the victim and the aggressor,” warned Christian Moleka of Congolese think tank Dypol. “There can be no lasting peace without justice.”
M23 Rebels Not On Board
Despite being central to the ongoing violence, M23 rebels were not direct participants in this agreement. Rebel leaders argue that any deal negotiated without them is illegitimate and “against us.” The group has continued to occupy key areas like Goma and Bukavu, and U.N. officials estimate 7 million people remain displaced.
Historical Fault Lines Persist
The conflict’s roots trace back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. As millions of Hutu refugees some accused of genocide fled into Congo, tensions with Tutsi-led forces escalated. Rwanda has long cited national security concerns in eastern Congo, though it denies backing M23 or exploiting minerals.
Activists and civilians in North Kivu province, the heart of the violence, remain skeptical.
“It is up to us to capitalize on this opportunity,” said local activist Hope Muhinuka, “but justice must follow.
