Rwanda and Congo sign peace deal mediated by Trump

Donald Trump called the signing a great day for Africa and noted that the leaders of both countries are demonstrating a mutual willingness to cooperate.

The peace agreement, known as the Washington Accords, was prepared over several months after the United States intervened in a conflict that threatened the government of Congo's President Félix Tshisekedi due to an offensive by rebels supported by Rwanda. However, the situation in eastern Congo remains tense: M23 rebels still control large territories and continue seizing new towns and villages.

The Trump administration expects that the public signing of the agreement, along with accompanying economic and mining pacts, will attract investors to the region and encourage both sides to uphold the peace.

An agreement on economic integration between Rwanda and the DRC is also planned.

The DRC government plans a separate bilateral pact with the United States on cooperation in energy, mineral extraction, and infrastructure development.

Eastern Congo is rich in natural resources, including gold, tin, tungsten, tantalum, cobalt, and copper. According to the US Geological Survey, the DRC and Rwanda jointly produced about 2,500 tons of tantalum in 2024 — nearly 60% of global output.