Trump Hails Congo-Rwanda Peace Deal Amid Ongoing M23 Clashes

President Trump praised Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and Congo’s Felix Tshisekedi for signing a deal to end decades of conflict in eastern Congo. Clashes continue with M23 rebels, who are not part of the agreement. The pact builds on earlier agreements and includes U.S. deals to access critical minerals, benefiting all three nations’ economies.

United States President Donald Trump on Thursday praised the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for their efforts in “settling a war that has been going on for decades.” The remarks came during a televised ceremony marking the signing of an agreement aimed at ending the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo. The event offered Trump another opportunity to present himself as a skilled dealmaker on the international stage, highlighting his involvement in global diplomacy.

“These are two men that are doing a great job,” Trump said during the ceremony. “They want to get onto other ways of living for their people, and they are great leaders.” His comments emphasized the role of the two African leaders in striving for peace and stability in a region that has long been plagued by violence and unrest.

The signing ceremony took place in Washington, D.C., despite ongoing reports of clashes between the Congolese army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in the South Kivu province. The presence of active conflict underscored the challenges that remain even as leaders took formal steps toward reconciliation.

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and the Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi expressed a hopeful and optimistic tone as they signed the agreement. Kagame noted, “No one was asking President Trump to take up this task. Our region is far from the headlines. But when the president saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it.” His comments highlighted the significance of U.S. involvement and the potential impact of international support in promoting peace.

President Tshisekedi also addressed the seriousness of the undertaking, stating, “I do believe this day is the beginning of a new path, a demanding path, yes. Indeed, quite difficult. But this is a path where peace will not just be a wish, an aspiration, but a turning point.” His remarks emphasized both the challenges ahead and the hopeful prospects of achieving lasting stability in the region.

Analysts, however, have cautioned that Thursday’s agreement is unlikely to result in immediate peace on the ground. They note that the humanitarian situation in eastern Congo may not see significant improvement in the short term. One notable limitation is that the M23 rebels, who have been actively engaged in conflict, did not attend the Washington meetings and are not legally bound by the terms of the Congo-Rwanda agreement. The rebel group is instead participating in separate talks mediated by Qatar, reflecting the complexity of the peace process.

The agreement signed in Washington, described by the White House as “historic,” follows months of intensive peace efforts involving the United States and international partners, including the African Union and Qatar. It also formalizes an earlier deal that had been signed in June, reinforcing previous commitments to peace and cooperation.

In addition to security and diplomatic measures, the agreement is intended to build upon a previously agreed Regional Economic Integration Framework. Officials have stated that this framework will define the terms of economic partnerships among the three countries, creating opportunities for shared development and collaboration.

As part of the broader engagement surrounding the agreement, President Trump also announced that the United States would sign bilateral agreements with both the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. These agreements are expected to provide new opportunities for the United States to access critical minerals while simultaneously benefiting the economies of all three nations. By linking economic cooperation with peace initiatives, the U.S. hopes to create a foundation for sustainable development and stability in the region.