Trump to Host Rwanda and DRC Leaders for US-Brokered Peace and Economic Deal

President Trump will host Rwanda and DRC leaders in Washington to sign a US-brokered peace and economic deal. The agreement builds on earlier diplomatic efforts and aims to secure lasting peace in eastern Congo, contingent on Rwanda withdrawing support for the M23 rebel group. Parallel negotiations between the DRC and M23 in Qatar continue to complement the peace process.

United States President Donald Trump will host the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in Washington on Thursday to formalize a peace agreement, the White House announced. According to White House Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda will participate in the signing of what has been described as a “historic peace and economic” deal brokered by President Trump. Tshisekedi had confirmed his attendance in Washington the previous week, signaling his commitment to the agreement.

This upcoming meeting aims to build on previous diplomatic efforts, including a peace deal reached in June, which was signed by the foreign ministers of the two countries, and an economic framework agreed upon in November. These initiatives are part of months-long efforts to stabilize the eastern region of the DRC, which has been affected by long-standing conflict and insecurity. The peace agreement is intended not only to strengthen diplomatic relations between Rwanda and the DRC but also to promote economic collaboration that could benefit both nations.

The Congolese government has repeatedly emphasized that the signing of the agreement would be contingent on Rwanda withdrawing its support for the M23 rebel group, which has been active in eastern Congo. At the same time, President Kagame has expressed frustration, accusing Congolese authorities of delaying the finalization of the deal. Despite these challenges, Kagame remains optimistic about the agreement, noting that lasting peace in the region can only be achieved if “people directly concerned are committed to achieve results.”

Alongside this US-mediated peace process, the DRC is engaging in separate negotiations with the M23 rebel group in Qatar. On 15 November, the DRC and M23 signed a framework for peace in Doha, which builds upon a previous declaration of principles. These parallel negotiations reflect the complexity of achieving sustainable peace in eastern Congo, as they involve multiple stakeholders with differing priorities and interests. The US-brokered agreement in Washington is expected to complement these efforts by providing political and economic incentives for both nations to uphold their commitments and work toward long-term stability in the region.