Rwanda and Congo Hopes For End of War With Peace Agreement

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed an agreement on Friday, April 26, pledging to respect each other’s sovereignty and draft a formal peace deal by May 2, which could finally end decades of devastating conflict in Central Africa.

The accord, brokered with support from the United States, signals a rare diplomatic breakthrough between the two countries amid a spiraling humanitarian crisis fueled by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. 

The countries’ foreign ministers inked the deal during a ceremony in Washington, attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who hailed it as a “critical step toward lasting stability.” The agreement commits both nations to resolve disputes through dialogue and paves the way for significant U.S.-backed economic investments in the resource-rich region. 

The signing follows months of intensified violence in eastern DR Congo, where M23 rebels—allegedly armed and supported by Rwanda—have seized control of Goma and Bukavu, the region’s two largest cities. Over 7,000 civilians have been killed since January, and hundreds of thousands displaced, as the rebels advanced through mineral-rich territories. 

DR Congo’s government, having lost vast swathes of land, turned to the U.S. for military and diplomatic assistance, reportedly offering access to critical minerals like cobalt and coltan in exchange. The strategic pact underscores Washington’s growing role in mediating one of Africa’s most intractable conflicts. 

While Friday’s talks marked a milestone, clashes reportedly continued in North Kivu province even as the ministers met. Both Kinshasa and M23 leaders had earlier expressed optimism about securing a permanent ceasefire, but skepticism remains high. DRC has long accused Rwanda of directing the rebellion—a claim supported by UN investigators and the U.S., though Kigali denies involvement. 

“This agreement is a beacon of hope, but words must now become actions,” said a Congolese official, speaking anonymously. The draft peace deal aims to address security, economic cooperation, and refugee repatriation, though details remain undisclosed. 

The conflict, rooted in regional rivalries and colonial-era borders, has been inflamed by competition over the DRC’s vast mineral wealth, essential for global electronics and green energy technologies. The new U.S.-facilitated investments could incentivize peace, but critics warn that external economic interests risk overshadowing local needs. 

As the 2 May deadline looms, analysts urge caution. For displaced civilians, the agreement offers a fragile promise of return—and an end to a war that has claimed over six million lives since the 1990s.