U.S.-led mediation aims to end years of violence in eastern Congo and unlock mineral trade opportunities
President Donald Trump announced that a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda is nearing completion, following U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to resolve the protracted conflict in eastern Congo.
Speaking alongside South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the White House, Trump expressed optimism about the progress.
“I want to see peace. I want to see happiness. I want to see health,” Trump said. “They have incredible land with incredible value… I think we have done it.”
U.S. Mediation and Strategic Interests
In April, Trump appointed Massad Boulos as senior advisor for Africa to spearhead negotiations. Boulos, along with Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Corina Sanders, engaged with regional leaders to facilitate dialogue.
The U.S. initiative, supported by Qatar and the African Union, aims to stabilize the mineral-rich region, which is crucial for global supply chains. The peace deal is expected to attract significant Western investment and promote industrialization in the DRC, while providing Rwanda with legal avenues for mineral processing.
Challenges and Conditions
Despite progress, challenges remain. The DRC insists on the withdrawal of Rwandan troops and recognition of its sovereignty before any cooperation. Rwanda, accused of backing M23 rebels, denies these allegations but maintains security concerns over Hutu militias operating in eastern Congo.
A declaration signed last month highlighted both countries’ commitment to transparent mineral value chains with U.S. backing. Reuters+1Wikipedia+1
Next Steps
The peace agreement is anticipated to be finalized in the coming weeks, with further talks potentially hosted in Washington. Success hinges on mutual trust and adherence to agreed-upon conditions, including the withdrawal of foreign troops and cessation of support for rebel groups.