DRC and Rwanda Forge Peace Pact in US-Brokered Deal
A groundbreaking peace agreement has been signed by the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Washington, D.C., aiming to conclude years of conflict. The deal, facilitated by the United States and Qatar, seeks to establish a framework for regional economic integration and security cooperation.
Agreement Details
During a Friday meeting at the White House, foreign ministers from the DRC and Rwanda formalized the deal. The agreement mandates the initiation of a regional economic integration framework within 90 days and the formation of a joint security coordination mechanism within a month. Crucially, it requires the withdrawal of thousands of Rwandan soldiers from the DRC within three months.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have signed a peace deal brokered by the US and Qatar in Washington DC to end years of fighting between the neighboring countries. https://t.co/q8D9GjR4X5
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 28, 2025
The conflict has caused significant devastation, with thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since January. The agreement, as stated by DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, aims to “begin to restore what conflict has robbed” and calls for “disengagement, justice, and the return of displaced families, and the return of refugees, both to the DRC and Rwanda.”
“Those who have suffered the most are watching. They are expecting this agreement to be respected, and we cannot fail them,”
—Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, Congolese Foreign Minister
According to the UNHCR, the number of refugees and asylum seekers from the DRC reached over 640,000 in 2024, highlighting the humanitarian impact of the ongoing instability (UNHCR 2025).
Complex Issues and Concerns
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe characterized the accord as a “turning point”. However, the deal also stipulates the “neutralization” of the FDLR, a group opposed by Rwanda. There is confusion over when M23 rebels will withdraw.
The DRC, the UN, and Western nations allege that Rwanda is supporting M23, but Rwanda denies these allegations. The agreement addresses the potential withdrawal of Rwanda’s support for M23, but it does not directly address the rebel group’s gains in the DRC.
Economic and Strategic Interests
The deal could also assist the US government and US-based corporations to gain access to critical minerals like tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium. These materials are vital to global technology, especially amid competition between the US and China for influence in Africa.
US President Trump stated that, “We’re getting, for the United States, a lot of the mineral rights from the Congo as part of it. They’re so honored to be here. They never thought they’d be coming.” Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman, mediated the deal.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the agreement allows people “to now have dreams and hopes for a better life, for prosperity, for economic opportunity, for a family reunification.”
Analysts believe the agreement is a turning point, but they don’t expect the conflict to end quickly.
