Wayne Lumbasi
The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have taken a major step toward stabilizing central Africa after their presidents, Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame, signed a U.S.-mediated peace agreement in a high-profile ceremony attended by key African and international leaders.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump presided over the event, joined by heads of state from Kenya, Angola, Burundi, Uganda, Togo, as well as senior representatives from Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Their presence signalled broad diplomatic backing for a deal many see as a turning point for regional cooperation.
The agreement establishes coordinated security arrangements along the DRC–Rwanda border, including the withdrawal of hostile forces and the creation of joint monitoring mechanisms to prevent future confrontations. It represents a decisive shift after years of tension that repeatedly disrupted stability in eastern Congo. By committing to structured dialogue and unified oversight, both countries aim to create a climate where conflict is less likely to re-emerge.
Central to the pact is a new economic framework built around the region’s vast deposits of critical minerals. The DRC holds some of the world’s most valuable reserves of cobalt, copper, lithium, tantalum and other minerals vital to global technology, energy storage and defence industries. Under the agreement, Rwanda and the DRC will work with the United States to modernise export systems, strengthen mineral certification, and expand secure trade routes that can support large-scale investment.
For the United States, the deal offers a pathway to diversify supply chains for key minerals at a time of rising global demand. American companies are now better positioned to explore investment opportunities under a more stable and predictable environment. By improving logistics and ensuring orderly mineral flows, the pact aligns with the U.S. goal of securing long-term access to strategic resources.
Beyond the mineral sector, the agreement also opens the door to broader economic integration. Both countries plan to establish development zones, advance shared energy and transport projects, and explore cooperation in agriculture and digital services. These initiatives are intended to reinforce cross-border ties and build a stronger economic foundation for the Great Lakes region.
A final consideration in the success of the pact will be the situation surrounding the M23 rebels, who maintain positions in parts of North Kivu. Their presence remains an important security factor. The peace deal provides room for coordinated responses that could gradually stabilise areas affected by M23 activity, supporting the wider efforts to strengthen peace and economic growth across the region.
DR CONGO & RWANDA NEWS
RWANDA BLAMES DRC FOR DELAY IN WASHINGTON PEACE AGREEMENT
AFRICAN COURT CLEARS WAY FOR DRC TO SUE RWANDA OVER EASTERN CONGO CONFLICT
U.S DEMANDS RWANDAN TROOP EXIT BEFORE RWANDA-DR CONGO PEACE DEAL
