Rwanda, DRC Expected to Sign US-Brokered Peace Deal

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are set to sign a US-brokered peace agreement in Washington aiming to end decades of conflict in eastern Congo, which has resulted in millions of deaths and displacements. The deal, mediated by the United States and Qatar and witnessed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, includes commitments to territorial integrity, cessation of hostilities, disarmament and conditional integration of rebel groups, humanitarian access, and a regional economic integration framework. President Donald Trump has publicly praised the treaty as a significant step toward peace and is scheduled to meet with the foreign ministers during the signing ceremony. While the agreement raises hopes for stability and opens opportunities for American investment in the DRC's vast mineral wealth, including cobalt and tantalum, it has faced criticism for vagueness, particularly regarding the economic components, and skepticism about its implementation given past failures. The initiative also reflects a shift from African-led peace efforts to more direct involvement by global powers, with China’s influence in the region being a key geopolitical consideration. Accusations of Rwanda supporting the M23 rebel group persist despite denials, highlighting the complex regional dynamics that the agreement seeks to address.