By Kemuma Achieng
A glimmer of hope has emerged for the war-torn eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after Rwanda and the DRC initialed a draft peace agreement on Wednesday, with the backing of the United States. The accord, set to be formally signed at a ministerial level on June 27, 2025, aims to halt the escalating conflict and pave the way for renewed stability in one of Africa’s most volatile and resource-rich regions.
The draft agreement, the product of months of tense negotiations and diplomatic interventions, emphasizes key pillars: respect for territorial integrity, an immediate cessation of hostilities, and the demobilization and conditional integration of armed non-state actors. It also outlines the formation of a joint security mechanism — a collaborative effort building on stalled 2024 talks previously mediated by Angola.
"This is a step forward," a joint statement from Rwanda, the DRC, and the U.S. declared. "This agreement lays the groundwork for durable peace and mutual respect."
Facilitated under the auspices of the Trump administration, the accord could potentially unlock billions of dollars in Western investment, as it promises to stabilize a region that holds vast untapped reserves of tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium — critical minerals for the global tech and green energy sectors.
The path to this moment has been fraught. Previous peace efforts brokered by Angola in 2024 failed when government ministers could not reach a consensus. Angola formally withdrew from the mediation role in March 2025 after a fresh offensive by the M23 rebel group, widely believed to be supported by Rwanda, reignited tensions and pushed the region to the brink of broader conflict.
M23 has captured several key cities in eastern Congo this year, deepening the humanitarian crisis and fueling accusations from Kinshasa that Kigali is supplying troops and arms to the rebel group. Rwanda has consistently denied these claims, saying its actions are in self-defense against hostile Congolese army movements and against Hutu militias tied to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which claimed nearly one million lives, primarily among the Tutsi population.
Analysts say the success of this new peace framework hinges on its implementation and the genuine commitment of both parties.
“If both sides follow through, this could be a turning point not just for eastern Congo, but for Central Africa as a whole,” said Mireille Mbala, a conflict resolution expert based in Nairobi. “But the region has seen many such agreements collapse under the weight of mistrust.”
Still, the stakes — and the hopes — are high. A successful accord could revive cross-border cooperation, improve security, and allow displaced communities to return home. It could also clear the way for foreign investors eyeing the DRC’s mineral wealth but wary of instability.
0 $type={facebook}:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.