On Friday in Washington, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a peace agreement aimed at ending a deadly conflict that has claimed thousands of lives. Both nations agreed to stop backing rebel groups, while former U.S. President Donald Trump highlighted the deal as a step toward securing valuable mineral resources.
“This marks the end of violence and devastation, and the start of a hopeful new era for the region,” Trump said as he welcomed the foreign ministers from both countries to the White House. “It’s a wonderful day.”
The agreement follows a major offensive by the M23 rebel group—an ethnic Tutsi militia reportedly linked to Rwanda—which recently captured large swaths of eastern DRC, including the strategic city of Goma.
Though mediated by Qatar since before Trump’s presidency, the deal does not directly address the M23’s territorial gains. It does, however, call on Rwanda to cease certain “defensive measures” it had implemented.
Rwanda has denied direct involvement with the M23, but has long demanded action against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—a Hutu militia formed by individuals associated with the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The peace accord mandates the disbanding of the FDLR, with Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe stressing that the first priority should be the “permanent and verifiable” end of any government support for the group. He added that such action would lead to Rwanda lifting its defensive posturing.
Nduhungirehe cautioned, however, that trust remains fragile in the region, as many past agreements have failed to produce lasting results.
Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, the DRC’s foreign minister, underscored the importance of honoring national sovereignty as part of the deal. “This is a rare opportunity to create real change, not just promises. Some wounds may heal, but they won’t be forgotten,” she said.
The agreement also establishes a joint security oversight body and outlines a general plan to create a framework for regional economic cooperation within the next three months.
