What You Need to Know
Leaders from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are set to meet in Washington next week to sign a peace agreement aimed at resolving ongoing conflicts in Eastern Congo. The meeting, facilitated by the U.S., comes amid rising tensions and violence in the region, with hopes of attracting Western investments in the mining sector.
Africa. Three sources told a local source that the Presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda will head to Washington next week to sign a peace agreement and meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, as part of efforts to end the conflict in Eastern Congo and attract Western investments in the rich mining sector.
Diplomatic sources, along with Tina Salama, spokesperson for Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, stated that the meeting will take place on December 4.
Neither the spokesperson for Rwandan President Paul Kagame nor the White House responded to requests for comment on Friday. However, a White House official said last week that the Trump administration “continues to work with both parties and looks forward to welcoming them to the White House at the appropriate time.”
This comes as the M23 movement launched a swift attack this year in Eastern Congo, seizing control of the two largest cities in the region, raising fears of a wider war that could involve neighboring countries. The latest round of fighting has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands.
Background of Previous Agreements
The upcoming meeting will build on a peace agreement brokered by the United States last June, which was signed by the foreign ministers of both countries, along with a framework for regional economic integration agreed upon this month.
The presidents are expected to endorse both agreements together, according to Salama, who confirmed that “the president has always desired regional integration, but respect for sovereignty is non-negotiable.”
The Trump administration has discussed facilitating billions of dollars in Western investments in a region rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium, and other minerals.
Field Challenges
In September, Congo and Rwanda agreed to implement security measures outlined in the June agreement by the end of the year, which include eliminating the threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda and withdrawing Rwandan troops.
So far, no significant progress has been made on the ground. Rwanda denies supporting the M23 movement, but a report by UN experts in July confirmed that Rwanda exercises leadership and control over the rebels.
Qatar hosted separate talks between Congo and the M23 movement, and the two parties signed a framework peace agreement this month, but many details still need to be negotiated.
President Tshisekedi told members of the Congolese community in Serbia that he will head to Washington, according to a post from his office on the X platform, but he also emphasized that the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Eastern Congo is a prerequisite for achieving genuine regional economic integration.
The upcoming meeting builds on a previous peace agreement brokered by the U.S. in June, which was signed by the foreign ministers of both countries. This agreement aims to address regional economic integration and security issues, particularly concerning the M23 rebel group, which has escalated violence in Eastern Congo this year.
In September, Congo and Rwanda agreed to implement security measures from the June agreement by year-end, including addressing the threat posed by the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda. However, tangible progress has been elusive, with Rwanda denying support for M23, despite UN reports suggesting otherwise.
