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New Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Rwanda, DR Congo sign peace deal in US after rebel sweep
WASHINGTON: Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace agreement Friday in Washington to end fighting that has killed thousands, with the two countries pledging to pull back support for guerrillas -- and President Donald Trump boasting of securing mineral wealth. "Today, the violence and destruction comes to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope and opportunity," Trump said as he welcomed the two nations' foreign ministers to the White House. "This is a wonderful day." The agreement comes after the M23, an ethnic Tutsi rebel force linked to Rwanda, sprinted across the mineral-rich east of the DRC this year, seizing vast territory including the key city of Goma. The deal -- negotiated through Qatar since before Trump took office -- does not explicitly address the gains of the M23 in the area torn by decades of on-off war but calls for Rwanda to end "defensive measures" it has taken. Rwanda has denied directly supporting the M23 but has demanded an end to another armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which was established by ethnic Hutus linked to the massacres of Tutsis in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The agreement calls for the "neutralization" of the FDLR, with Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe saying the "irreversible and verifiable end to state support" to the Hutu militants should be the "first order of business." The process would be "accompanied by a lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures," Nduhungirehe said at a signing ceremony at the State Department. But he added: "We must acknowledge that there is a great deal of uncertainty in our region, and beyond, because many previous agreements have not been implemented." His Congolese counterpart, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, highlighted the agreement's call for respecting state sovereignty. "It offers a rare chance to turn the page, not just with words but with real change on the ground. Some wounds will heal, but they will never fully disappear," she said. The agreement also sets up a joint security coordination body to monitor progress and calls vaguely for a "regional economic integration framework" within three months.
Bangkok Post
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Rwanda and DR Congo sign peace deal in US
WASHINGTON - Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace agreement on Friday in Washington to end fighting that has killed thousands, with the two countries pledging to pull back support for guerrillas — and President Donald Trump boasting of securing mineral wealth. 'Today, the violence and destruction comes to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope and opportunity,' Trump said as he welcomed the two nations' foreign ministers to the White House. 'This is a wonderful day.' The agreement comes after the M23, an ethnic Tutsi rebel force linked to Rwanda, sprinted across the mineral-rich east of the DRC this year, seizing vast territory including the key city of Goma. The deal — negotiated through Qatar since before Trump took office — does not explicitly address the gains of the M23 in the area torn by decades of on-off war but calls for Rwanda to end 'defensive measures' it has taken. Rwanda has denied directly supporting the M23 but has demanded an end to another armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which was established by ethnic Hutus linked to the massacres of Tutsis in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The agreement calls for the 'neutralisation' of the FDLR, with Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe saying the 'irreversible and verifiable end to state support' to the Hutu militants should be the 'first order of business.' The process would be 'accompanied by a lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures,' Nduhungirehe said at a signing ceremony at the State Department. But he added: 'We must acknowledge that there is a great deal of uncertainty in our region, and beyond, because many previous agreements have not been implemented.' His Congolese counterpart, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, highlighted the agreement's call for respecting state sovereignty. 'It offers a rare chance to turn the page, not just with words but with real change on the ground. Some wounds will heal, but they will never fully disappear,' she said. The agreement also sets up a joint security coordination body to monitor progress and calls vaguely for a 'regional economic integration framework' within three months. Trump takes credit Trump has trumpeted the diplomacy that led to the deal, and started his White House event by bringing up a journalist who said he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking to reporters earlier Friday, Trump said the United States will be able to secure 'a lot of mineral rights from the Congo.' The DRC has enormous mineral reserves that include lithium and cobalt, vital in electric vehicles and other advanced technologies, with US rival China now a key player in securing the resources. Trump said he had been unfamiliar with the conflict as he appeared to allude to the horrors of the 1994 Rwanda genocide, in which hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Tutsis, were killed in just 100 days. 'I'm a little out of my league on that one because I didn't know too much about it. I knew one thing — they were going at it for many years with machetes,' Trump said. The agreement drew wide but not universal praise. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the deal 'a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability' in the eastern DRC and the Great Lakes region. 'I urge the parties to honour in full the commitments they have undertaken in the Peace Agreement… including the cessation of hostilities and all other agreed measures,' Guterres said in a statement. The landmark agreement was also praised by the chairman of the African Union Commission. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who witnessed the signing of the deal in Washington, 'welcomed this significant milestone and commended all efforts aimed at advancing peace, stability, & reconciliation in the region,' a statement said. But Denis Mukwege, a gynecologist who shared the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end the DRC's epidemic of sexual violence in war, voiced alarm about the agreement, saying it effectively benefited Rwanda and the United States. The deal 'would amount to granting a reward for aggression, legitimising the plundering of Congolese natural resources, and forcing the victim to alienate their national heritage by sacrificing justice in order to ensure a precarious and fragile peace,' he said in a statement ahead of the signing. Physicians for Human Rights, which has worked in the DRC, welcomed the de-escalation but said the agreement had 'major omissions', including accountability for rights violations.
RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Rwanda and Congo sign peace deal in US after rebel sweep
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace agreement yesterday in Washington to end fighting that has killed thousands, with the two countries pledging to pull back support for guerrillas - and President Donald Trump boasting of securing mineral wealth. "Today, the violence and destruction comes to an end, and the entire region begins a new chapter of hope and opportunity," Ms Trump said as he welcomed the two nations' foreign ministers to the White House. "This is a wonderful day." The agreement comes after the M23, an ethnic Tutsi rebel force linked to Rwanda, sprinted across the mineral-rich east of the Congo this year, seizing vast territory including the key city of Goma. The deal - negotiated through Qatar since before Mr Trump took office - does not explicitly address the gains of the M23 in the area torn by decades of on-off war but calls for Rwanda to end "defensive measures" it has taken. Rwanda has denied directly supporting the M23 but has demanded an end to another armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which was established by ethnic Hutus linked to the massacres of Tutsis in the 1994 Rwanda genocide. The agreement calls for the "neutralization" of the FDLR, with Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe saying the "irreversible and verifiable end to state support" to the Hutu militants should be the "first order of business". The process would be "accompanied by a lifting of Rwanda's defensive measures," Mr Nduhungirehe said at a signing ceremony at the State Department. But he added: "We must acknowledge that there is a great deal of uncertainty in our region, and beyond, because many previous agreements have not been implemented." His Congolese counterpart, Therese Kayikwamba Wagner, highlighted the agreement's call for respecting state sovereignty. "It offers a rare chance to turn the page, not just with words but with real change on the ground. Some wounds will heal, but they will never fully disappear," she said. The agreement also sets up a joint security coordination body to monitor progress and calls vaguely for a "regional economic integration framework" within three months. Trump takes credit Mr Trump has trumpeted the diplomacy that led to the deal and started his White House event by bringing up a journalist who said he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize. Speaking to reporters yesterday, Mr Trump said the United States will be able to secure "a lot of mineral rights from the Congo". The Congo has enormous mineral reserves that include lithium and cobalt, vital in electric vehicles and other advanced technologies, with US rival China now a key player in securing the resources. Mr Trump said he had been unfamiliar with the conflict as he appeared to allude to the horrors of the 1994 Rwanda genocide, in which hundreds of thousands of people, mostly Tutsis, were killed in just 100 days. "I'm a little out of my league on that one because I didn't know too much about it. I knew one thing - they were going at it for many years with machetes," Mr Trump said. The agreement drew wide but not universal praise. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the deal "a significant step towards de-escalation, peace and stability" in the eastern Congo and the Great Lakes region. "I urge the parties to honour in full the commitments they have undertaken in the Peace Agreement... including the cessation of hostilities and all other agreed measures," Mr Guterres said in a statement. The landmark agreement was also praised by the chairman of the African Union Commission. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who witnessed the signing of the deal in Washington, "welcomed this significant milestone and commended all efforts aimed at advancing peace, stability, and reconciliation in the region," a statement said. But Denis Mukwege, a gynaecologist who shared the 2018 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end the Congo's epidemic of sexual violence in war, voiced alarm about the agreement, saying it effectively benefited Rwanda and the United States. The deal "would amount to granting a reward for aggression, legitimising the plundering of Congolese natural resources, and forcing the victim to alienate their national heritage by sacrificing justice in order to ensure a precarious and fragile peace," he said in a statement ahead of the signing. Physicians for Human Rights, which has worked in the Congo, welcomed the de-escalation but said the agreement had "major omissions," including accountability for rights violations.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
African Union hails DR Congo-Rwanda peace deal as milestone
NAIROBI: The African Union said on Saturday a peace deal signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda was a 'significant milestone' in bringing peace to the deeply troubled region. For more than 30 years the eastern DRC has been riven by conflict, which has intensified in recent years with the advance of an armed militia backed by Rwanda. A statement said AU Commission head Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, who witnessed the signing of the deal in Washington on Friday, 'welcomed this significant milestone and commended all efforts aimed at advancing peace, stability, & reconciliation in the region'. It said he 'appreciated the constructive & supportive role played by the US & the State of Qatar in facilitating dialogue & consensus that led to this development'. The agreement comes after the M23, an ethnic Tutsi rebel force supported by Rwanda, sprinted across the mineral-rich east of the DRC this year, seizing vast territory including the key city of Goma. The deal does not explicitly address the gains of the M23 in the area torn by decades of on-off war but calls for Rwanda to end 'defensive measures' it has taken. Rwanda has denied offering the M23 military support but has demanded an end to another armed group, the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which was established by ethnic Hutus involved in the massacres of Tutsis in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The agreement calls for the 'neutralization' of the FDLR.
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Why Congo and Rwanda agreed to end three decades of war
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (centre) with Democratic Republic of the Congo Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner (right) and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe on June 27. PHOTO: AFP Why Congo and Rwanda agreed to end three decades of war The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have agreed to bring an end to conflict in eastern Congo, where millions of people have died and multitudes have been displaced over the past three decades. A US-brokered accord signed in Washington on June 27 commits the two central African nations to stop fighting, halt their use of armed proxies and work together to develop the natural resources that lie along their shared border. There is well-founded skepticism over whether the truce will last. Distrust between the two long-standing foes runs deep and it's unclear whether their forces and a multitude of militias will heed instructions to lay down their weapons. Why have relations between Congo and Rwanda been so fraught? More than 100 groups are engaged in ethnic disputes or fights over land, minerals and political representation in eastern Congo. Rwanda's main gripe is the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, or FDLR. Its members have links to the Hutus who perpetrated the 1994 genocide in Rwanda that left at least 800,000 people dead – most of them Tutsis, the country's other main ethnic group. A rebel group known as the M23 says it's been fighting the FDLR to protect Congolese Tutsis who face discrimination. Rwanda's military has backed the M23, while Congo's army has worked alongside the FDLR. The conflict reached new heights in 2025 when M23 forces annexed the region's two main cities. While the US and United Nations say Rwanda supported the operation, President Paul Kagame said he was unsure if his forces were involved. Mr Felix Tshisekedi, Congo's leader, has argued that Rwanda's main aim is to exploit Congo's bountiful natural resources and any other issues it raises are merely a pretext to gain access. What are the key provisions of the peace deal? The accord provides for a cessation of hostilities, a halt to support for armed groups, the neutralization of the FDLR and increased regional economic integration. It will also lay the groundwork for refugees and displaced people to return to their homes in eastern Congo. The signatories agreed to support separate peace talks between Congo and the M23, while the US, Qatar and the African Union will help resolve any disputes. An economic component of the agreement is expected to be hammered out as soon as July. On the cards is the establishment of shared processing and trading ventures that will enable both Congo – where most of the minerals are situated – and Rwanda to jointly benefit. Possible developments could include a $760 million hydropower plant, gas-powered electricity projects and tourism enterprises in national parks. What role will the US play? The US government is offering to invest directly in the region and encourage American companies to follow suit, an undertaking it hopes will help convince the Rwandan and Congolese governments to stick to the peace deal. Both the African nations signed off on a provision requiring them to explore partnerships with US President Donald Trump's administration and US firms – which could potentially become involved in energy generation and the mining of tantalum and other minerals. Congo has also offered the US the chance to invest more broadly in its economy, including in infrastructure development and in lucrative copper and cobalt mines in the country's southeast. The Trump administration has made securing critical mineral supply chains a pillar of its foreign policy, and Congo has some of the world's best resources. What are the key challenges? Congo's talks with the M23 are ongoing. Both Rwanda and the rebel group will need to agree to stand down for any peace deal to meaningfully move forward, and there's no guarantee they will be prepared to do that. It will also be a challenge to get Congo's army to fight and disarm the FDLR on Rwanda's behalf. The M23 rebellion is just one of dozens of conflicts in eastern Congo, all of which ultimately need to be addressed to restore region-wide stability. The governments will also need to figure out what to do with tens of thousands of members of demobilised armed groups who will need to sustain themselves. Finding a way to stop the smuggling of minerals – gold in particular – is likely to prove troublesome. Bullion is trading at all-time highs and thousands of rebels and soldiers make their living through a regional trade in the metal that's worth billions of dollars. Perhaps the biggest struggle of all will be over land, with disputes over ownership likely to persist for decades. Some 6 million Congolese have been displaced by the violence in the east of their country, while tens of thousands of Congolese Tutsi refugees have resided in Rwanda for decades, and will likely want to reclaim their property upon returning home. What's been happening with Congo's resources? Eastern Congo is rich in tin, tungsten, gold and tantalum – a mineral used in portable electronics. There have been multiple attempts to formalise the trade over the years and stop armed groups from benefitting from it. The initiatives, including certification schemes, bagging and tagging programs, and international sanctions, have proved largely ineffective. The M23 control trade from the world's richest tantalum ore mine. Multiple armed groups control huge gold deposits and the trade has been almost impossible to track because, unlike tin or tantalum, bullion is easy to melt down into small quantities that are easy to transport. Both Rwanda and Uganda have gold refineries – some of which have been sanctioned by the US or European Union for buying from conflict zones – and they are major contributors to export earnings. While the peace deal calls on Congo and Rwanda to clean up their mineral supply chains and jointly develop processing infrastructure, it doesn't address how the illegal gold trade should be tackled. BLOOMBERG Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
