U.S. President Donald Trump on December 4, 2025, presided over the signing of a peace agreement between Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi in Washington, D.C., during a ceremony attended by several other African leaders. The deal aims to end decades of conflict in eastern Congo.
The ceremony, held at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace, saw Trump praise the agreement as a “historic” achievement, despite ongoing fighting in the region.
“Great Day for Africa”
President Trump praised the agreement, stating, “It’s a great day for Africa, a great day for the world,” and expressed confidence that the nations would leave behind “decades of violence and bloodshed”.
He also remarked on the leaders, saying, “They spent a lot of time killing each other, and now they’re going to spend a lot of time hugging, holding hands and taking advantage of the United States of America economically, like every other country does”.
The deal, initially agreed upon in June, seeks to establish a permanent ceasefire, disarm rebel groups, and facilitate the return of refugees.
Economic Interests and Lingering Doubts
A significant component of the agreement involves economic cooperation, particularly concerning the DRC’s vast reserves of critical minerals like cobalt and copper.
Trump announced bilateral agreements to unlock U.S. access to these resources, stating, “Everybody’s going to make a lot of money”.
However, the peace remains precarious. Reports indicate continued clashes between Congolese forces and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo, with residents like Amani Chibalonza Edith of Goma stating, “We are still at war”.
Critics, including UN investigators and the U.S. government, have pointed to Rwanda’s continued support for the M23, a claim Rwanda denies.
Contradictions in Washington
The day also highlighted stark contradictions within the Trump administration. While celebrating peace, Defense Department officials were simultaneously questioned by lawmakers regarding potential war crimes related to lethal boat strikes.
This “cognitive dissonance,” as described by The New York Times, demonstrates the complex reality of Trump’s Washington.
In addition, the peace deal stipulates that Rwanda will cease its support for M23, while the DRC will work to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia that Rwanda views as a threat.
Despite these commitments, neither condition has been fully met since the initial agreement in June. The complex history of the conflict, rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, continues to pose significant challenges to lasting peace.
