The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement brokered by the United States to help end the fighting that has persisted for decades in eastern Congo.
Washington’s mediation does not come under the banner of “for God and for humanity” as much as it grants the US government and its companies competitive advantages in accessing vital minerals in the region.
President Trump stated in a press conference that he managed to broker a deal for one of the worst wars ever, and secured for the United States many mineral rights from the DRC.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the move as a significant moment after 30 years of war. This aligns with estimates suggesting that Washington is primarily focused on increasing its economic benefits in eastern Congo.
Media expect the agreement to pave the way for major American investments in energy and mining sectors, especially as Washington seeks to reduce its dependence on supply chains controlled by China.
Eastern Congo is a strategic region due to the possession of 80% of the world’s coltan reserves which is a metal used in the production of nuclear reactors. The majority of this wealth is concentrated in the eastern part of the country.
Erik Prince who is a supporter of President Trump and founder of Blackwater recently agreed with the Congolese government to join a partnership in the vital minerals sector.
This comes in parallel with notable Russian interest in energy projects in regional countries.
Moscow recently signed an agreement with the Republic of the Congo to construct a pipeline extending from Pointe-Noire port to the capital, Brazzaville.
Regarding international and media expectations of the agreement signed in Washington, some quickly promoted it as a major step to peace.
This was reflected in remarks by Bintou Keita, Head of the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC, who said that the signing of the peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda is a significant step forward toward ending the conflict.
Others took a more cautious view, considering it a step within ongoing peace efforts in the region.
Rwanda’s ambassador to the UN Security Council stated that although the road ahead is still long, the path to lasting peace in the Great Lakes region is now clearer than ever. Regional media coverage was generally balanced.
Mohamed Tourshan, a researcher specializing in conflict and security issues in Africa, told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the agreement reached between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington represents a historic agreement that could end years-long conflict.
The agreement may represent an opportunity to achieve peace and stability in a region suffering from conflicts. However, the success of this agreement fundamentally depends on the seriousness and commitment of all parties.
The international community is watching closely to see whether a deal will be signed between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel movement—especially as Rwanda announced on June 7, 2025, its intention to withdraw from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS).
The member states of this group account for 20.4% of Africa’s area, and their proven oil reserves are estimated at about 31 billion barrels, 28% of Africa’s total reserves.
Former Congolese President Joseph Kabila adopted an opposing situation, describing the agreement as nothing more than a commercial deal and asserting that his country was not at war with the states appearing at the signing table.
It can be said that this agreement did not prevent officials from several European countries, especially those interested in African affairs, from voicing concerns over the US administration’s push to reach a peace deal hastily, in a manner resembling commercial transactions, without truly addressing the root causes of the conflict.
This concern is pushing France to consider organizing a conference on the humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region in the near future.
Moreover, the agreement did not halt the ongoing exchange of accusations between the warring parties.
The DRC’s representative to the Security Council stated that the security situation in the east of the country continues to be characterized by Rwandan aggression.
Civilians are still suffering massacres, the rape of women and young girls, the forced recruitment of youth, and other violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
The M23 rebels declared that the agreement would not be binding for their movement, as they did not directly participate in the peace deal—despite taking part in other ongoing peace talks.
This suggests that positions remain far apart, even as the agreement’s mediators voiced optimism.
Yet, the challenges persist, as noted by Christian Mulyeka, a political expert at the Congolese Depol Research Center, who described the agreement as a “major turning point” but stated that it will by no means resolve all conflict-related issues.
In parallel, there is growing influence and operational capability of ISIS in eastern Congo. The organization is activating its dormant cells in eastern Congo through its regional branch known as “Islamic State Central Africa Province” in Uganda.
This represents a growing security threat to the African continent’s regions already facing activity from the Islamic State in West Africa Province, the Islamic State in Somalia, and ISIS in the Greater Sahara, as well as other regional branches of the organization.
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