Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a peace agreement in Washington aimed at ending the deadly conflict that has ravaged the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC. The two countries agreed to halt backing for armed groups, with former US President Donald Trump declaring it a major diplomatic success.
Speaking at the White House on Friday, Trump, who hosted the foreign ministers of both nations, hailed the accord as the beginning of “a new chapter of hope and opportunity” for the region. “This is a wonderful day,” he said.
The deal follows a rapid advance by the M23 rebel group, widely believed to be supported by Rwanda, which has captured large swathes of eastern DRC in recent months, including the strategic city of Goma.
Although the agreement does not specifically address territory gained by the M23, it commits Rwanda to halting its so-called “defensive measures.” Kigali continues to deny any direct involvement with the group but insists that the DRC must dismantle the FDLR – an armed group founded by Hutu extremists tied to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The peace deal calls for the disarmament of the FDLR, with Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe stating that ending official support for the militia should be a top priority. He also said Rwanda’s own military posture would be reassessed accordingly.
“There remains a great deal of uncertainty,” he noted during the signing ceremony, citing the history of failed regional peace accords.
Congolese Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner stressed the need for both nations to respect each other’s sovereignty and expressed hope that the agreement could pave the way for meaningful change. “Some wounds will heal, though they may never fully disappear,” she said.
The agreement also proposes the creation of a joint security coordination body and hints at a regional economic integration plan to be developed within three months.
Earlier on Friday, Trump told reporters the United States was now set to secure “a lot of mineral rights” from the DRC, a country rich in lithium and cobalt—key materials in green technologies. China currently dominates much of the DRC’s mining sector.
While the peace accord received praise from figures such as UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the African Union Commission, not all reactions were positive.
Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize-winning doctor and campaigner against sexual violence in war, warned that the deal risked rewarding Rwanda and undermining justice. He argued that it legitimised the looting of Congolese resources and prioritised fragile peace over accountability.
Physicians for Human Rights echoed these concerns, noting the absence of provisions for justice or human rights protections in the agreement.
On the ground in Goma, reactions were mixed. Local resident Adeline Furaha welcomed the accord as a “glimmer of hope” and expressed hope that displaced families could return. But civil society activist Roland Mumbere was less optimistic.
“I’m not satisfied with this agreement,” he said. “It does not directly ease our suffering. We will still have to wait a long time to see the end of this crisis.”
