Leaders of DR Congo and Rwanda signed historic peace accords in Washington in the presence of US President Donald Trump, thereby bringing to a close decades-long conflict in eastern Congo.
Trump declared on his social media platform, Truth Social, soon after: “We’re settling a war that’s been going on for decades.”
“Both sides have spent a lot of time killing one another, but now they are going to make peace and be friends, taking advantage of the United States of America economically, as every other country does,” he added.
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame also reaffirmed their economic partnership following a US-brokered peace deal reached earlier this year.
In a statement, Tshisekedi expressed optimism about the peace deal, saying, “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.”
Also Read: DR Congo and Rwanda to sign US-mediated peace deal
The signing ceremony was attended by the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, and foreign ministers from Qatar and the UAE.
Fighting in eastern Congo has continued for decades between the government forces and more than 100 militant groups, most notably the M23 rebels, which many in the international community believe are backed by the Rwandan government, charges that the latter denies.
The deadly conflict between the armed groups and government forces escalated in 2025, when the major cities of Goma and Bukavu were captured by the M23 rebels.
While the militant group has not participated in the peace deal, the clashes were reported after the Congolese and Rwandan presidents signed the agreement in Washington.
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