The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a landmark peace agreement on Friday evening under U.S. auspices, aiming to end decades of conflict in eastern Congo that has left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

The agreement was signed during an official ceremony in Washington, attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, DRC Foreign Minister Teresa Kayikwamba Wagner, and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Ndhogirehe. The accord builds on principles outlined during negotiations in April and includes commitments to respect territorial integrity and cease hostilities, particularly in the volatile eastern DRC region where the M23 armed group has carried out major offensives.

“Today, violence and destruction are coming to an end, and the entire region is beginning a new chapter of hope, opportunity, harmony, prosperity, and peace,” said U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, flanked by the foreign ministers of both countries.

Trump hailed the agreement as a “great day”, highlighting not only the diplomatic achievement but also the U.S. mining rights granted as part of the accord. The DRC holds some of the world's largest deposits of cobalt, lithium, and other critical minerals used in defense and green technology.

Regional and Global Reactions

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the peace deal as “an important moment after 30 years of war,” while cautioning that “there is still much more to do.”

Rwandan Foreign Minister Ndhogirehe emphasized that the agreement includes provisions to “irreversibly and verifiably end government support” for the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—a militia founded by former Hutu leaders implicated in the 1994 genocide.

French President Emmanuel Macron called the accord a “historic step forward”, stating that “peace must endure.”

Earlier on Friday, President Trump told reporters:

“You know, they fought for years, and it was violent. Today we are signing a peace treaty. For the first time in many years, they will know peace. This is very important.”

UN and NGO Response

At the UN Security Council, Bintou Keita, head of the UN peacekeeping mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), acknowledged ongoing tensions but said that “front lines and negotiations are moving, paving the way for peace.”

However, some human rights organizations expressed caution. Physicians for Human Rights criticized the agreement for lacking firm commitments to accountability for human rights violations.

“There can be no lasting peace without genuine justice,” said Sam Zarifi, executive director of the group.

Background and Next Steps

The agreement was also supported by Qatar, which hosted DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Doha this past March. President Trump is expected to host both leaders at the White House in July.

The peace deal follows years of violent conflict in eastern DRC, a region rich in natural resources but destabilized by the M23 rebellion and other armed groups. In early 2025, the M23—allegedly backed by Rwanda—launched surprise offensives, seizing control of key cities such as Goma and Bukavu.

While Kigali denies providing military support to the M23, it has long claimed that its national security is threatened by groups like the FDLR, which operates along the DRC-Rwanda border.

Several ceasefire agreements have failed since the M23 resumed its operations in 2021, exacerbating a massive humanitarian crisis and triggering widespread displacement.

The success of this latest agreement will depend on the implementation of its core commitments, regional cooperation, and the continued involvement of international mediators.