In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a preliminary agreement in Washington to pave the way for a formal peace deal and expanded economic cooperation. The agreement was brokered by the United States after years of tensions fueled by rebel activities in eastern Congo.
Congo’s Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwanda’s Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe formalized the deal in the presence of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who also signed as a witness. The parties committed to negotiating a full peace agreement by May 2, 2025, and pledged to cease any support for armed groups destabilizing the region.
The agreement also opens pathways for significant American investments in Congo’s mineral sector, particularly focusing on tantalum, cobalt, copper, lithium, and gold. Rwanda is also negotiating separate mineral trade deals with the United States, aiming to strengthen regional value chains and diversify economic growth.
The US sees the deal as part of its broader strategy to counter China's dominance in Africa’s mineral industry. Secretary Rubio emphasized that American investments would be conducted with transparency and high governance standards, a shift aimed at promoting stability and sustainable development in the Great Lakes region.
Though the framework marks a critical step forward, diplomats caution that real success will depend on translating the principles into action and overcoming deep-rooted mistrust between the two nations. Previous peace efforts in the region have often collapsed amid renewed violence.
The conflict in eastern Congo intensified earlier this year when M23 rebels, alleged to have Rwandan backing, captured significant territory. Rwanda has denied these accusations, claiming its actions were defensive. A prior ceasefire initiative led by Qatar helped set the stage for the current agreement.
The signing comes amid intensified US efforts to engage directly in Africa’s strategic regions, with plans for security reforms and mineral partnerships aimed at ensuring both political stability and economic opportunity.