Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe speaks during a peace agreement signing with Democratic Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, hosted by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, DC, on June 27, 2025. Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed an agreement in Washington on Friday to put an end to a conflict in the eastern DRC that has killed thousands, although broad questions loom on what it will mean. Trump has trumpeted the diplomacy that led to the deal and publicly complained that he has not received a Nobel Peace Prize. But the agreement has also come under scrutiny for its vagueness including on the economic component, with the Trump administration eager to compete with China and profit from abundant mineral wealth in the long-turbulent east of the vast DRC. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a landmark peace agreement in Washington D.C., aimed at ending years of armed conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and destabilized the mineral-rich Great Lakes region of Africa.
The deal, brokered through Qatari diplomacy and finalized under the facilitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, was signed at the White House in the presence of both countries’ foreign ministers.
“Today marks the end of violence and destruction, and the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and opportunity for Central Africa,” President Trump declared during the signing ceremony. “This is a wonderful day.”
Commitment to End Support for Armed Groups
The agreement follows a surge in conflict triggered by the resurgence of the M23 rebel group, a predominantly Tutsi militia reportedly linked to Rwandan interests. The group recently advanced across eastern DRC, capturing key territories including Goma, a major economic and logistical hub.
While the agreement does not explicitly address the territorial gains made by M23, it commits both nations to withdraw support for guerrilla groups and to respect each other’s sovereignty.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe reaffirmed Rwanda’s position, emphasizing the need for an “irreversible and verifiable end” to any state-sponsored support for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) — a group with links to the perpetrators of the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
“We have agreed to lift our defensive measures only when the threat of the FDLR is neutralized,” Nduhungirehe said at the U.S. State Department, warning that many previous peace efforts had collapsed due to non-implementation.
DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner welcomed the pact, describing it as a “rare opportunity” to rebuild trust and promote peace in a region long haunted by cycles of violence. “This agreement is not only about diplomacy—it must lead to change on the ground,” she stated.
Security Coordination, Economic Integration on the Horizon
The accord also establishes a joint security coordination body to monitor its implementation and outlines plans for a regional economic integration framework to be developed within three months.
President Trump, speaking earlier in the day, said the deal would also give the U.S. better access to the DRC’s critical mineral resources, including lithium and cobalt, both essential for the global shift toward clean energy and electric vehicles.
“The Congo holds massive potential, and we’re making sure that America secures a fair stake in its future,” Trump said.
Mixed Reactions and Concerns Over Accountability
The agreement has received global attention, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling it “a significant step toward lasting peace and stability.” The African Union Commission also praised the deal, commending all parties for “their commitment to reconciliation and regional stability.”
However, the pact has not been without criticism.
Dr. Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights advocate, warned that the agreement may reward aggression and compromise justice for victims. “This deal risks legitimizing resource plundering and sacrificing justice on the altar of convenience,” he said.
Similarly, Physicians for Human Rights welcomed the ceasefire intentions but noted “major gaps” — particularly the lack of mechanisms for accountability regarding war crimes and human rights violations.
Voices from the Ground: Hope and Skepticism
In Goma, a city heavily impacted by conflict, reactions were mixed. Local resident Adeline Furaha expressed cautious optimism: “This gives us a glimmer of hope. Maybe now, families who fled can finally return home.”
But others, like civil society leader Roland Mumbere, were less convinced. “We’ve seen too many agreements that never change anything. Our suffering isn’t over yet,” he said.
As the world watches, the coming months will be crucial in determining whether this peace agreement will endure — or join a long list of failed attempts in a troubled region seeking stability.
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