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The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a landmark peace agreement aimed at ending decades of deadly conflict in eastern Congo.
The deal, brokered by the United States and supported by Qatar, is being hailed as a significant step toward stability in one of Africa’s most volatile regions—though major challenges remain.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the agreement as “an important moment after 30 years of war,” while former President Donald Trump, who played a central role in facilitating the deal, said he had “sold peace” and secured mineral rights for the U.S. in the process.
“We’re getting a lot of the mineral rights from Congo,” Trump said at a news conference earlier Friday.
The peace accord includes key provisions on respecting territorial integrity, ending hostilities, and disarming non-state armed groups.
While the agreement represents a diplomatic breakthrough, analysts caution that it may not immediately halt the violence that has plagued eastern Congo for decades.
Diplomats Sign Amid Hope and Skepticism
Congo’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and her Rwandan counterpart, Olivier Nduhungirehe, signed the deal in the presence of U.S. and Qatari officials.
Wagner invoked the memory of millions lost in the conflict and urged parties to respect the accord. “Some wounds will heal, but they will never fully disappear,” she said.
Nduhungirehe also emphasized the difficulty ahead, warning of a “great deal of uncertainty” due to previous failed agreements. Both sides thanked the U.S. and Qatar for their roles in brokering the deal.
Conflict Far From Over
Despite the deal, the situation on the ground remains precarious. The Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group continues to occupy key territories in Congo’s eastern provinces.
The group, which was not directly involved in the agreement, has already expressed doubts about its legitimacy.
M23 spokesperson Oscar Balinda stated that any peace deal made without their participation would be “against us.”
Corneille Nangaa, leader of the Congo River Alliance, a coalition that includes M23, echoed similar concerns, insisting that real peace will only come through direct negotiations that address their grievances.
The United Nations has called the crisis in Congo “one of the most protracted and serious humanitarian emergencies on Earth,” with over 7 million people displaced and persistent reports of atrocities by multiple armed groups.
U.S. Interests and Global Competition
The peace deal is also deeply intertwined with global strategic interests. The U.S. is seeking to secure access to Congo’s vast reserves of critical minerals, estimated to be worth as much as $24 trillion.
These include cobalt and rare earth elements essential for smartphones, electric vehicles, and military equipment.
China has long dominated the Congolese mining sector, and Washington sees this agreement as part of its broader strategy to counter Chinese influence in Africa.
However, some analysts and local voices are wary of U.S. intentions.
“The agreement creates a partnership between the victim and the aggressor,” said Christian Moleka of the Congolese think tank Dypol. “Without justice and reparations, lasting peace is unlikely.”
Hope Muhinuka, an activist from North Kivu, added: “I don’t think the Americans should be trusted 100%. It is up to us to make the most of this opportunity.”
Root Causes Remain
The roots of the conflict trace back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, when nearly 2 million Hutus fled into Congo.
Kigali has long accused Congo of harboring militias responsible for the genocide, fueling decades of cross-border tensions and military interventions.
While the peace deal may be a crucial first step, it is far from a final solution. Justice for victims, the role of rebel groups, and foreign interests in Congo’s minerals remain contentious and unresolved.
The coming months will test whether this agreement can turn the page on one of Africa’s deadliest and most enduring conflicts.
