The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the Government of Rwanda have today June 27th 2025, signed a peace deal in Washington, DC, to end years of fighting between the neighbouring countries.
The representative of the two countries met in the White House in the United States of America where Ministers of Foreign Affairs from the two African countries signed an agreement brokered by the US and Qatar.
The newly deal raises hopes for an end to fighting that escalated with the advance of M23 rebels early this year leading to the capture of two main cities of Goma and Bukavu and the conflict has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more since January.
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe said at the signing they believe that the signing of the agreement makes a turning point with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Democratic Republic of Congo Foreign Minister Ms Therese Kayikwamba Wagner said that the peace agreement must be followed by disengagement, justice and the return of displaced families.
The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who hosted the two Foreign Ministers at the Department of State in Washington for the signing said tgat this was an important moment after 30 years of war.
The deal will also help the US government and American companies gain access to critical minerals needed for much of the world’s technology at a time when the US and China are actively competing for influence in Africa.
Political analysts see the deal as a major turning point but don’t believe it will quickly end the fighting that has killed millions of people since the 1990s.
Additional Reporting from Associated Press.
