Diplomacy/ Historic peace deal signed between Rwanda and DR Congo in Washington
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have signed a landmark peace agreement in Washington, brokered by the U.S., aiming to end decades of conflict in eastern DRC. The deal calls for the “disengagement, disarmament, and conditional integration” of armed groups, though specifics remain unclear.
U.S. President Donald Trump hailed the agreement as a “glorious triumph,” while Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi’s office called it the “most important diplomatic success in over 30 years.”
However, past peace efforts have repeatedly collapsed, and key issues such as Rwanda’s military presence in the DRC remain contentious.
The M23 rebellion, which seized swathes of eastern DRC this year, displacing hundreds of thousands, is central to the conflict.
Rwanda denies backing the group despite evidence, while Kinshasa accuses Kigali of aggression.
The DRC reportedly sought U.S. security support in exchange for access to critical minerals like cola.
Rwandan officials denied the deal mandates troop withdrawal, while Tshisekedi’s office insisted it includes “disengagement.” Previous agreements, including Angolan-mediated talks, failed over similar disputes.
Questions linger: Will M23 withdraw? Will Rwanda admit to its military presence? Can displaced civilians return? Without full transparency, skepticism persists. As one diplomat noted, “The real test is implementation.”
