United States President Donald Trump has announced plans to host the Presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo at the White House in the coming weeks, following the signing of a peace agreement aimed at ending years of conflict in eastern DR Congo.
The development comes on the heels of a U.S.-brokered peace accord signed on June 27 in Washington, DC, by Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and his Congolese counterpart Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner.
The deal, reached after more than two months of American-led mediation, seeks to de-escalate long-standing hostilities between the two neighbours, whose relations have been strained by the presence of armed groups and mutual security accusations.
President Trump, speaking on July 9 while hosting West African leaders at the White House, described the agreement as a “breakthrough” and said the upcoming visit would formalize its implementation.
“Over the next couple of weeks, the leaders of both countries will come to sign the final agreement,” he said.
“We’re going to be signing an end to the horrible 30-year war. It’s been going on for a long time.”
The peace accord, informally referred to as the "Washington Agreement," outlines several key provisions: the neutralisation of the FDLR, a militia formed by remnants of the perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda; the withdrawal of foreign forces from Congolese territory; and a coordinated regional mechanism to oversee troop disengagement and disarmament.
The agreement also includes commitments toward joint economic development and security cooperation, particularly in the eastern DR Congo provinces where rebel activity and mineral exploitation have fuelled unrest for decades.
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, in remarks delivered on July 4, commended the role of the United States in mediating the deal and reiterated his government’s readiness to implement its obligations.
Kagame said Rwanda would begin lifting its defensive measures against Congolese incursions, provided Kinshasa honours its side of the agreement.
“We are committed to the terms of this accord,” Kagame said. “We believe it opens a real opportunity for peace, if both sides show goodwill and seriousness.”
The agreement was signed in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s senior Africa advisor, Mossad Boulos, who reportedly played a leading role in the mediation process. President Trump praised Boulos’s involvement, saying “most people thought it couldn’t be done.”
The situation in eastern DR Congo remains volatile, however. While the peace accord has been welcomed by the two governments, several rebel groups — most notably the M23 movement — have not been included in the main framework and continue to hold ground in North Kivu.
The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of backing M23, a charge Kigali has consistently denied, instead blaming Kinshasa for harbouring the FDLR.
Analysts have cautioned that while the accord is a significant diplomatic milestone, its success will hinge on robust monitoring, inclusion of all armed actors in follow-up mechanisms, and long-term international support for both disarmament and regional development.
The UN Secretary-General has also welcomed the deal, describing it as a “step in the right direction,” but warned that implementation would require trust-building and transparency on both sides.
President Félix Tshisekedi of DR Congo has not publicly commented on Trump’s latest announcement, though sources close to his office indicate preparations are underway for a state visit to Washington later this month.
As the US positions itself as a key player in resolving one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts, the outcome of this peace initiative could carry significant implications for regional stability, mineral governance, and broader US–Africa relations.
With the final signing expected soon, eyes will be on how both Rwanda and DR Congo translate diplomatic commitments into durable peace on the ground.