A Short Review of the Rwanda-Congo Peace Pledge in 2025
JUST NOW: The President of Congo officially asks President Trump to help bring peace to the region.
— Ian Jaeger (@IanJaeger29) March 19, 2025
In exchange he is offering a portion of the countries over $20 Trillion in minerals.
Via: Fox News pic.twitter.com/61H7NGuqrp
On April 25, 2025, a hopeful milestone was achieved in Washington, D.C., as the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a Declaration of Principles, committing to draft a peace deal by May 2 to address the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC.
President Trump has negotiated peace between Rwanda and Congo in record time, and the entire media is ignoring it.
— George (@BehizyTweets) April 28, 2025
"We have great news coming up with Rwanda and the Congo, and I think you're going to be seeing peace in Rwanda and the Congo and a few other nations right around,… pic.twitter.com/Ue3fY83tmK
Facilitated by the U.S. under Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Senior Advisor for Africa Massad Boulos, the agreement was signed by DRC Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe. It pledges both nations to respect sovereignty, avoid supporting armed groups, and explore joint security measures to stabilize a region scarred by decades of violence stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide, which has displaced over 7 million people and caused millions of deaths.
Statement | Qatar Welcomes the Signing of the Declaration of Principles between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of Rwanda#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/cOUjqmk9hb
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) April 25, 2025
The agreement builds on a March 2025 Qatar-mediated ceasefire and a meeting between DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, which set the stage for direct talks with the M23 rebel group.
Plus for the US
The deal comes as Trump’s administration and Congo explore a broader minerals-for-security partnership. Congo pitched the idea directly to President Trump: “Help us secure our resources, and we’ll help supply America’s critical minerals.”
This aligns with significant economic opportunities, as the DRC’s vast mineral reserves—cobalt, lithium, coltan, and more—could attract billions in American investment, fostering growth and reducing China’s dominance in the sector.
President Trump, who described the Rwanda-DRC situation as a “very serious problem” in January 2025, expressed optimism about the progress, stating, “We have great news coming up with Rwanda and the Congo, and I think you’re going to be seeing peace in Rwanda and the Congo and a few other nations right around, and that will be a perfect thing. So we hope that’s going to happen.”
1/ Blackwater founder Erik Prince is back—this time in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
— Rod D. Martin (@RodDMartin) April 28, 2025
He’s reached a deal to help Congo secure its vast mineral wealth—a region rich in copper, cobalt, lithium, and coltan, vital for EVs, smartphones, and global tech.
But there’s more… 👇 pic.twitter.com/54aDbeyVJk
The deal has sparked enthusiasm for its potential to de-escalate a conflict that has fueled a humanitarian crisis, with M23 rebels controlling key eastern cities like Goma and Bukavu earlier in 2025. Congolese and Rwandan leaders are hopeful that U.S. support, including contributions from figures like Erik Prince, who is assisting the DRC with mineral security, will pave the way for lasting stability.
Posts on X have celebrated the U.S. role, with some noting the rapid progress made under Trump’s administration, though major outlets like Reuters, Al Jazeera, and AP have also covered the April 25 signing, highlighting the diplomatic efforts.
As of April 29, 2025, the agreement represents a promising step toward peace, with the draft deal’s development being a critical next phase. The collaboration between the U.S., DRC, and Rwanda offers a pathway to both security and economic prosperity, raising hopes for a brighter future in the region.