Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo signed a peace deal in Washington DC. June 25, aiming to end decades-old conflict rooted in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. Although, questions remain over what the agreement means and who it really benefits.
US secretary of State Marco Rubio and the ambassadors of and the two foreign ministers of the African countries signed a 2024 deal that would see Rwanda troops withdraw from eastern Congo within 90 days. Also, both countries will launch a regional economic integration framework within 90 days.
President Donal Trump said before the signing ceremony: “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.”
The problem lies on M23, a rebel armed group form by Tutsis who say they exist to protect the interest of minorities against Hutus, who escaped to DRC after the 1994 genocide that targeted Tutsis in Rwanda. Rwanda has been accused of supporting this rebel group, a claim the country denies.
Rwanda also demanded the end of an armed group call the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), group established by ethnic Hutus link to the 1994 genocide. Therefore, the essence of the agreement was respect for the territorial integrity and prohibition of hostilities and the disarmament of all non-state armed groups.
The agreement is controversial since it aims to attract western investment to the two countries’ mining sector and give the US access to critical minerals. Finally, some experts are calling the mediation process “opaque” and with failed talk about justice, reparations and responsibility regarding Rwanda’s aggressions against DRC.
Re Mureithi, C. (2025, 28 June). Trump eyes mineral wealth as Rwanda and DRC sign controversial peace deal in US. The Guardian.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/27/rwanda-drc-peace-deal-us-trump-m23