The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a landmark peace agreement on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at a ceremony hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump. The deal aims to end decades of conflict in eastern DRC while granting U.S. companies access to the region's critical mineral resources, vital for technology and renewable energy sectors.
DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda's Paul Kagame inked the agreement at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace in Washington. The pact follows months of U.S.-led mediation and builds on a June 2025 deal signed by the countries' foreign ministers. However, tensions persist: both sides accused each other of violating a ceasefire in eastern DRC earlier this week.
President Trump announced parallel bilateral agreements enabling U.S. firms to invest in mining cobalt, lithium, and other minerals critical for electric vehicles and electronics. "We're sending our greatest companies to secure these resources," Trump stated, framing the deals as a strategic economic and diplomatic win.
Eastern DRC's instability, fueled by the M23 rebel group's resurgence since 2021, has long hindered development. While Rwanda denies supporting M23, the conflict has strained regional ties. Analysts caution that lasting peace depends on addressing governance gaps and resource-sharing disputes.
For investors, the agreement signals potential opportunities in Africa's mineral-rich regions, though security risks remain. Academics note the deal's geopolitical implications as global powers compete for critical resources.
