Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) are expected to sign a long-awaited peace agreement this June at the White House, with President Donald Trump anticipated to attend the high-profile event.
The agreement, which comes after years of regional tension and conflict, is being hailed by political analysts as a critical step toward stabilising the war-torn eastern region of DR Congo.
Analysts have welcomed the US-led peace push, arguing that regional blocs such as the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC) have consistently failed to resolve intra-African conflicts.
“This agreement has been long overdue,” said Muwada Nkunyingi, the shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.
“The regional mechanisms have lacked both the political will and the operational capacity to enforce peace. It took external pressure and a global platform to bring the parties to the table.”
With President Trump’s involvement adding diplomatic weight, many view the upcoming accord as a fresh chance to de-escalate one of Africa’s most persistent conflicts.
Over the past two decades, instability in eastern DR Congo has claimed millions of lives, displaced millions more, and fuelled accusations of foreign interference, particularly between Kigali and Kinshasa.
“The US intervention is significant—not just symbolically, but practically,” noted Dr. Sam Kazibwe, a senior analyst.
“This is about shifting the narrative from endless summits to tangible outcomes. If implemented, this agreement could finally begin to reduce the long-standing pressure on DR Congo’s borders and bring a measure of peace to a region desperately in need of it.”
While the details of the agreement remain under wraps, sources close to the negotiations suggest it includes commitments on cross-border security cooperation, demobilisation of rebel groups, and economic collaboration to rebuild affected areas.
Observers say this renewed momentum also gained traction during the Aqaba Process Meeting on East Africa, held under the patronage of King Abdullah II of Jordan.
The Aqaba Process—launched in 2015—is a security-focused initiative aimed at strengthening coordination against terrorism and cross-border threats through international dialogue.
The East Africa session, held earlier this year, gathered security chiefs and policymakers from across the region and beyond to explore strategies for neutralising armed groups destabilising countries like DR Congo and Somalia.
While not directly brokering the peace deal, the meeting is said to have created a backchannel environment for confidence-building and intelligence-sharing that laid groundwork for the upcoming Washington agreement.
The move signals a renewed focus by the US on African geopolitics, and with Trump reportedly keen to spotlight diplomatic victories, the June signing may serve both as a moment of peacebuilding and political showmanship.
As the world watches, the success—or failure—of this agreement could reshape the political landscape of Central Africa and redefine international involvement in African peace processes.