Keypoints:
- White House targets July peace accord for Congo and Rwanda
- US mineral deals could unlock billions in Western investment
- Rebels, militias, and regional security still major hurdles
THE United States is intensifying diplomatic efforts to broker a peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aiming for a formal signing at the White House in the coming two months. The agreement, if finalised, would be coupled with separate billion-dollar mineral investment deals for both countries, President Donald Trump’s senior advisor for Africa told Reuters on Thursday.
Speaking in Doha, Massad Boulos, a top White House advisor, said: ‘When we sign the peace agreement … the minerals deal with the DRC will be signed on that day, and then a similar package, but of a different size, will be signed on that day with Rwanda.’
Investment tied to ending decades-long conflict
The initiative comes amid renewed violence in eastern Congo, where Rwandan-backed M23 rebels have made sweeping territorial gains in recent months. While Kigali denies any involvement, the unrest is part of a protracted conflict in a region rich in gold, tantalum, and other valuable minerals.
As reported by Reuters, the peace effort would hinge on both countries submitting draft versions of a formal agreement this Friday, following discussions in Washington last week. A high-level meeting in mid-May will see US Secretary of State Marco Rubio host the foreign ministers of Rwanda and Congo in Washington to push forward negotiations.
Mineral riches and mutual guarantees
According to Boulos, the bilateral mineral agreements with the United States would unlock substantial Western investment in the mining and infrastructure sectors across both countries. The DRC’s deal is expected to be broader, given its size and wealth of resources. But Rwanda, too, would benefit significantly, particularly in midstream and downstream processing of minerals.
‘The (agreement) with the DRC is at a much bigger scale, because it’s a much bigger country and it has much more resources,’ Boulos explained. ‘But Rwanda also has a lot of resources and capacities and potential in the area of mining as well … not just the upstream, but also midstream and downstream to processing and refining and trading.’
He added that US and Western firms have already indicated readiness to invest billions once the deals are formalised.
Security hurdles remain
However, the White House signing cannot go ahead until several key security concerns are addressed. The US expects Rwanda to withdraw any troops inside Congolese territory and cease its alleged support for M23 rebels. For its part, the DRC must address Rwandan concerns about armed groups such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia with roots in the 1994 genocide.
A follow-up committee was formed this week to oversee progress on the peace plan. The committee includes representatives from the US, France, Qatar, and Togo, the latter representing the African Union.
The Congolese government has yet to comment on the proposed agreements, Reuters noted.
With stakes high and the region’s mineral wealth drawing global attention, Washington is betting that peace and prosperity can go hand in hand — if the warring neighbours can find common ground.
