Historic Agreement Brokered by U.S. Aims to End Decades-Long Conflict
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) signed a U.S.-mediated peace agreement on Friday, marking a potential turning point in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced over a million people in recent years. The deal, witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, outlines a 90-day timeline for Rwandan troops to withdraw from eastern DRC and establishes a framework for regional economic integration.
Economic Opportunities in Mineral-Rich Region
The agreement seeks to unlock Western investment in the DRC's mineral-rich eastern provinces, home to critical resources like cobalt, copper, and lithium. Analysts suggest the stability could reshape global supply chains for green energy technologies. U.S. officials emphasized plans to finalize a broader "Washington Accord" package with DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan leader Paul Kagame in coming months.
Challenges Ahead for Implementation
While Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe called the deal "a new chapter," DRC counterpart Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stressed the need for concrete disengagement measures. Former U.S. President Donald Trump warned of "severe penalties" for violations during a meeting with both delegations, reflecting lingering skepticism about past failed agreements.
The accord comes as displaced communities cautiously await evidence of lasting peace, with humanitarian groups urging immediate aid to conflict zones.
