Congo and Rwanda signed a peace agreement to end the conflict.

 The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed preliminary peace agreements that include a commitment to draft a peace treaty and ceasefire by May 2, 2025. 

This significant diplomatic process is expected to foster ” hope” for resolving the ongoing conflicts in these nations, particularly in eastern Congo.

The ceasefire agreement was signed in Washington, D.C., and entails mutual pledges from both parties to refrain from providing military support to rebel groups. 

Also , the agreement is anticipated to pave the way for substantial public and private investment discussions from the United States into both countries, especially in the mining sector, where Congo boasts valuable resources such as tantalum, gold, copper, cobalt, and lithium, essential for manufacturing mobile phones and electric vehicles. 

Additionally, the two parties have agreed to establish a security cooperation framework to address the threats posed by rebel and criminal groups that jeopardize peace. 

DRC’s Foreign Minister, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, expressed her hope that the citizens of Congo, particularly those in the eastern regions, expect more than just promises. 

Meanwhile, Rwanda’s Foreign Minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, emphasized that these agreements present an opportunity to forge a lasting peace treaty, adding that discussions are underway on how to create new economic linkages in the region, incorporating investments from the U.S. private sector.