Trump Hosts Rwanda–DRC Peace and Economic Pact in Washington as M23 Fighting Continues

Overview

• Rwanda’s Paul Kagame and the DRC’s Félix Tshisekedi signed the U.S.-brokered agreement at a Washington ceremony hosted by President Trump.
• The deal links economic cooperation to security steps, including DRC action against the FDLR and a Rwandan troop withdrawal that has shown little apparent progress since June.
• Clashes between M23 fighters and Congolese forces were reported in South Kivu during the signing, and M23 was neither present nor bound by the accord.
• A Congolese government spokesman blamed M23 for recent violence and accused Rwanda of shunning peace, while Kigali denies backing the rebels despite a UN expert report alleging command-and-control ties.
• Critics, including Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege, questioned the agreement’s impact and motives, pointing to ongoing civilian suffering and U.S. interest in Congo’s strategic minerals and in countering Chinese influence.