Congo, Rwanda Sign Peace Deal in Washington
- TPP
- Jun 29
- 5 min read
In a breakthrough aimed at ending one of Africa’s most protracted and deadly conflicts, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a U.S.- and Qatar-brokered peace agreement on Friday, June 27, 2025. The deal, forged after months of quiet diplomacy, offers a rare glimmer of hope in a region plagued by violence, displacements, and competing geopolitical interests.
Signed at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., the agreement brings together two nations with a deeply troubled shared history. Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and Congolese Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner formally endorsed the deal in a ceremony hosted by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The accord reflects intensive mediation led by the Trump administration, with businessman and advisor Massad Boulos—father-in-law of Tiffany Trump—playing a pivotal behind-the-scenes role.
What is the history of Congo-Rwanda conflict?
To understand the significance of this peace agreement, one must trace the origins of the conflict, which stretches back to the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. That genocide, in which over 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed, led to a massive exodus of Hutu refugees—including many responsible for the killings—into eastern Congo (then Zaire). Their presence, combined with preexisting ethnic tensions and weak state structures, created a tinderbox that exploded into violence.
By 1996, Rwanda had launched military interventions into Zaire to target the genocidaires, setting off a series of regional wars. With Rwanda’s support, rebel forces ousted dictator Mobutu Sese Seko and installed Laurent-Désiré Kabila. But by 1998, relations had soured, and a second war erupted when Kabila turned against his former allies. The ensuing conflict, involving multiple African nations, became one of the deadliest since World War II, claiming over three million lives.
Persistent Insecurity Despite Peace Attempts
Despite peace accords in the 2000s, eastern Congo remained deeply unstable. Rebel groups continued to operate with impunity, fueled by ethnic grievances and control over vast mineral resources. One such group, the March 23 Movement (M23)—comprised largely of Congolese Tutsis and widely believed to be backed by Rwanda—emerged in 2012 and briefly took over the city of Goma. Though initially defeated in 2013, M23 re-emerged in 2021 and steadily gained strength.
By early 2024, the group—allegedly supported by thousands of Rwandan troops—captured major cities including Goma and Bukavu, and seized control of key mining areas in North and South Kivu.
At the same time, Congo’s eastern region continued to harbor another armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—a militia formed by Hutu extremists linked to the 1994 genocide and a central justification for Rwanda’s military involvement in Congo.
How Did the Congo-Rwanda Conflict Lead to the 2025 Washington Peace Accord?
The escalation in 2024 prompted mounting international concern. With tens of thousands killed and hundreds of thousands displaced within the year, pressure grew for a diplomatic resolution. This urgency galvanized U.S. and Qatari efforts to bring the two countries to the negotiating table. Parallel talks held in Doha helped thaw relations between Kigali and Kinshasa (capital cities of Rwanda and the DRC respectively), setting the stage for the high-profile Washington summit.
Unlike past agreements, the Washington Accord is not just a ceasefire—it is a roadmap for regional stability and economic cooperation. It also signals a shift in how global powers engage with Africa, with the U.S. positioning itself as both peace broker and economic partner in a region critical to the future of clean energy and technology.
What Are the Key Provisions of the 2025 Congo-Rwanda Peace Agreement?
According to a copy of the deal reviewed by Reuters, the accord outlines a phased, verifiable plan for demilitarization and regional development. Its main pillars include:
Troop Withdrawal: Rwanda will withdraw its forces from eastern Congo within 90 days.
Joint Security Framework: A security coordination mechanism will be established within 30 days to manage cross-border threats.
Monitoring and Verification: An independent mechanism will verify the withdrawal and monitor compliance.
End to Hostilities Against FDLR: Both nations commit to ending military operations that target or utilize the FDLR.
Economic Integration: Within 90 days, Rwanda and the DRC will launch a regional economic integration framework aimed at attracting foreign investment.
This combination of security and economic provisions reflects a pragmatic acknowledgment that lasting peace requires not only silencing guns but also unlocking prosperity.
How Does the Peace Deal Impact Africa’s Critical Mineral Resources?
Indeed, the economic stakes are as high as the security ones. The DRC is home to an estimated $24 trillion in untapped mineral wealth, including tantalum, cobalt, copper, gold, and lithium—resources essential to the global energy transition. However, conflict has turned these assets into liabilities, with over $1 billion in mineral revenues lost annually to illegal trade and armed control.
The peace deal includes commitments to "de-risk" mineral supply chains and partner with U.S. firms to ensure transparent, legal extraction and export. At the ceremony, former President Donald Trump, who played an active role in brokering the deal, remarked: “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.”
This move is seen as part of the broader geopolitical competition between the U.S. and China for control of Africa’s critical mineral sources.
What Diplomatic Efforts Led to the Signing of the Washington Accord?
Support for the agreement also came from the Qatari-hosted Doha talks, which laid much of the groundwork. The DRC and Rwandan governments, while still at odds over their respective rebel affiliations, acknowledged the Doha process as crucial in building confidence.
Following the Washington signing, both foreign ministers were received in the Oval Office, where Trump extended invitations to Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame for a follow-up White House summit. This future summit is expected to formalize an economic development framework to complement the current peace pact.
Significantly, Trump also warned of “very severe penalties, financial and otherwise” should either side violate the terms—an indication that Washington intends to remain actively involved in enforcement.
What Challenges Could Undermine the Success of the Peace Agreement?
While the agreement marks a high point in U.S.-Africa diplomacy, skepticism remains. Experts warn that ambiguity around the M23’s status could undermine implementation. Although Rwanda claims no control over the group, UN experts estimate that over 7,000 Rwandan troops have operated in Congo in support of M23, which now governs swaths of the mineral-rich Kivu provinces.
“There is still confusion on the ground,” reported Al Jazeera’s Alain Uaykani from Goma. “People are unsure whether this deal means the M23 will leave, or if they’ll simply rebrand under a new structure.”
Jason Stearns, a leading expert on the Great Lakes region, called the deal “the best chance we have at peace despite its flaws,” emphasizing the role of the U.S. as “the godfather of the process.”
Tresor Kibangula of the Congolese think tank Ebuteli put it bluntly: “Securing the east also means securing investments. It remains to be seen whether this economic logic will suffice to end the fighting.”
Can the 2025 Peace Deal Bring Lasting Peace and Economic Growth to the Great Lakes Region?
Despite the many uncertainties, the Washington Accord is the most comprehensive attempt in years to end the Congo-Rwanda conflict. It seeks not only to stop a war, but to replace the political economy of violence with one of peace and prosperity. Whether this historic agreement ushers in real change or becomes another failed chapter will depend on sustained political will—and continued international engagement.
As Foreign Minister Wagner of the DRC said at the ceremony: “This moment has been long in coming. It will not erase the pain, but it can begin to restore what conflict has robbed—safety, dignity, and a sense of future.”
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