Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement on Friday, aiming to end deadly conflict in eastern Congo and open doors to major foreign investment. The deal was signed in Washington by both countries’ foreign ministers, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio present at the ceremony.
The agreement, part of what the Trump administration calls the “Washington Accord,” includes a commitment for Rwanda to withdraw troops from eastern Congo within 90 days. It also sets a 90-day deadline for launching a regional economic integration plan focused on critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and copper.
Former President Donald Trump, who helped mediate the deal, met with the foreign ministers after the signing. He warned of “very severe penalties” if either country breaks the agreement and highlighted the United States’ new mineral rights access as part of the pact. Trump said, “They never thought they’d be coming here, but now they are honored to.”
Congo and Rwanda will now form a joint security team within 30 days and begin implementing a previously agreed plan to verify Rwanda’s troop withdrawal. Both sides also pledged support for ongoing peace talks in Doha involving M23 rebels, who have seized major cities and mining areas in eastern Congo this year.
The deal has economic ambitions as well. It calls for the two nations to build secure mineral supply chains in cooperation with the U.S. and private investors. Officials say another agreement on this economic framework will be signed by Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame during a future White House event.
Although similar peace efforts have failed in the past, experts believe this agreement has stronger international backing. “It’s the best chance we’ve had so far,” said analyst Jason Stearns. However, local researchers caution that political will and enforcement by the U.S. will be critical for lasting peace.