Overview
- The Washington ceremony formalized a June accord between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was paired with two U.S. bilateral agreements and a Regional Economic Integration Framework to facilitate access to cobalt, coltan, lithium and other minerals.
- The event took place at the U.S. Institute of Peace, recently renamed for President Trump, after separate meetings with Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame at the White House.
- U.S. business engagement is being organized through a U.S. Chamber of Commerce event to explore investment in critical minerals, energy and tourism with Congolese and Rwandan delegations.
- Fighting continues in the east, with ACLED reporting more than 400 deaths last month, ongoing clashes reported this week, disrupted services in rebel-held Goma and a continued humanitarian crisis.
- M23 rebels hold key territory including Goma and Bukavu, UN experts estimate 3,000–4,000 Rwandan forces are operating in eastern DRC alongside M23, and Rwanda denies providing such support.