US President Trump on the 4th signed a peace agreement with the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, in hopes of ending a conflict that has lasted for 30 years. However, the latest violent incidents in eastern DRC have led observers to question whether this agreement can really end one of Africa's longest-running wars.
According to AFP, Trump hosted DRC President Tshisekedi and long-time Rwandan President Kagame in Washington. Trump stated that the US had also signed key mineral agreements with both countries.
After the signing ceremony, Trump said: “I think this will be a great miracle.”
Speaking of the two African leaders, Trump added: “They spent a lot of time killing each other, and now they’ll spend a lot of time embracing, holding hands, and—like other countries—making good use of American economic opportunities.”
Congo President: The Road Ahead Will Surely Have Ups and Downs
But the two African leaders were more cautious in their remarks. Fighting is still ongoing in eastern DRC, and in recent weeks, the local armed group March 23 Movement (M23) has gained the upper hand against DRC forces, while the United Nations (UN) states that M23 is backed by Rwanda.
Kagame said: “The road ahead will inevitably have its ups and downs, there’s no doubt about that.” Tshisekedi described it as “the beginning of a new path, a difficult path.”
The conflict in eastern DRC has lasted for decades, costing hundreds of thousands of lives. Trump had earlier boasted that, since resuming the presidency in January, he had ended eight wars, including the DRC conflict.
Agreement Paves Way for US Access to Key Minerals from Both Countries
On the same day, Trump also stated that the latest agreement would pave the way for the US to acquire key minerals from the two countries. The frequently turbulent eastern DRC in particular contains large reserves of critical materials needed for modern technologies such as electric vehicles.
Trump said: “We’re going to mine some rare earths, and everyone is going to make a lot of money.”