The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are set to sign a peace deal facilitated by the U.S. to help end the decadeslong deadly fighting in eastern Congo. The deal, to be signed in Washington, would also help the U.S. government and American companies gain access to critical minerals in the conflict-battered, mineral-rich region.

Washington

The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are preparing to sign a peace agreement facilitated by the United States, intended to address ongoing conflict in eastern Congo. The region has experienced repeated violence since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with recent escalations involving the M23 rebel group, which UN experts say is supported by Rwanda—a claim Rwanda denies.

The deal, to be signed in Washington, seeks to end support for armed groups and foster economic cooperation, particularly around the region's valuable mineral resources. While the accord has raised hopes for stability, there are concerns about its effectiveness on the ground, especially as the M23 rebels have indicated they may not recognize the agreement.

DR Congo and Rwanda to sign U.S.-brokered deal

Tensions between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda date back to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. An estimated 800,000 people, mostly from the Tutsi community, were killed by Hutu extremists. Since then, there have been outbreaks of fighting between different ethnic armed groups despite multiple peace accords. The conflict was again brought to the fore at the beginning of this year when a rebel group known as the M23 captured swathes of territory in eastern DRC. According to UN experts, Rwanda supports the M23 with troops and ammunition, though Kigali insists otherwise. The group's first major advance was at the end of January with the taking of Goma. The city in the North Kivu province is a vital transport hub within reach of mining towns which supply critical minerals and metals. Kinshasa and multiple UN reports have accused Rwanda of using the conflict as a way of looting Congolese minerals. One report last December said around 120 tonnes of coltan was being sent by the M23 to Rwanda every four weeks. Kigali has consistently denied the accusations. The latest fighting in eastern DRC has killed thousands and worsened one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. The country counts 7 million displaced people including 3.8 million in north and south Kivu provinces. Several regional and global actors have been involved in mediation efforts, though peace has been elusive. There's hope, however, that the accord announced by the United States covering the pillars of security and economic cooperation will stick. The deal commits Kigali and Kinshasa to ending support for armed groups, but some worry about how it will translate on the ground, especially as the M23 rebels have suggested the agreement won't be binding on them.

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Kyiv

Ukraine Invasion

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Jerusalem

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Global Tariffs

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Gilimanuk

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Manhattan

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Tehran

Iran Strikes

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Boise

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Madison

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Everglades

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