In a development that could signal a significant turning point for Central Africa’s stability, former United States President Donald Trump has announced the successful negotiation of a peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The treaty, brokered with support from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s senior adviser on African affairs, Massad Boulos, seeks to bring an end to decades of violent confrontation and geopolitical tension between the two nations.
The agreement, expected to be formally signed in Washington D.C. on Monday, represents the culmination of months of shuttle diplomacy launched in April 2025 by Boulos, who travelled repeatedly between Kinshasa and Kigali to negotiate a ceasefire, troop withdrawals, and mutual security commitments. This diplomatic campaign led to the drafting of a “Declaration of Principles,” followed by treaty proposals submitted by both parties in May.
According to a statement published on Trump’s social media platform, the final agreement encompasses provisions for the disarmament of non-state armed actors—most notably the M23 rebel group—and the withdrawal of foreign troops from contested territories in eastern DRC. These measures are intended to create a foundation for the voluntary repatriation of displaced civilians and a pathway toward sustained regional cooperation.
The protracted conflict in eastern Congo has been driven by competing interests over the control of mineral wealth—including cobalt, lithium, and coltan—as well as ethnic tensions and long-standing allegations of foreign interference. Kinshasa has consistently accused Kigali of supporting insurgent movements operating on Congolese soil, including M23, a claim Rwanda has repeatedly denied.
The newly announced treaty also introduces a minerals-for-security framework, under which the U.S. will receive access to strategic resources in return for diplomatic and technical support to bolster peacebuilding and economic reconstruction in the eastern provinces. This aspect of the deal aligns with Washington’s increasing interest in securing critical minerals amid the global shift towards green technologies and electric mobility.
While the declaration has been met with cautious optimism from international observers, implementation will be critical. The region has witnessed numerous failed accords in the past, and success will depend on the verification of rebel disarmament, the sustainability of troop disengagement, and the capacity of both governments to adhere to the terms under significant internal and external pressures.
Nevertheless, the announcement marks a rare diplomatic success in the volatile Great Lakes region and offers a glimpse into a possible new chapter for one of Africa’s most strategically vital and conflict-ridden zones. For Trump, it also represents an unexpected foreign policy achievement on the African continent during a time of mounting geopolitical competition for influence across the Global South.
The peace deal, should it hold, would not only diminish one of the most enduring sources of instability on the continent but could also catalyse broader economic and humanitarian dividends for millions affected by years of conflict, displacement, and disrupted development.
