Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo leaders signed a peace deal Friday at the White House. The agreement aims to stop violence that has killed thousands of people across the region. Both nations promised to stop helping armed rebel groups fight each other. President Trump claimed credit for the deal and said America would gain access to valuable minerals. Foreign ministers from both countries attended the ceremony in Washington.
The M23 rebel group captured large areas of eastern Congo earlier this year. These fighters took control of the important city of Goma and other territories rich with natural resources. Rwanda has denied supporting M23 directly but wants another armed group called FDLR to be destroyed. The peace agreement requires both sides to end their military support for different rebel forces. Qatar helped negotiate the deal before Trump became president.
The new agreement creates a joint security team to watch over the peace process. Leaders also agreed to work on economic cooperation within three months. Trump said the United States will secure mining rights for lithium and cobalt from Congo. These metals are essential for making electric car batteries and other technology products. China currently controls much of the mineral trade in the region.
Some officials praised the agreement as a major step toward peace. Others criticized the deal for rewarding aggression and failing to address human rights violations. The conflict has roots in the 1994 Rwanda genocide when hundreds of thousands died. Previous peace agreements have failed to bring lasting stability to the area.
The M23 rebel group captured large areas of eastern Congo earlier this year. These fighters took control of the important city of Goma and other territories rich with natural resources. Rwanda has denied supporting M23 directly but wants another armed group called FDLR to be destroyed. The peace agreement requires both sides to end their military support for different rebel forces. Qatar helped negotiate the deal before Trump became president.
The new agreement creates a joint security team to watch over the peace process. Leaders also agreed to work on economic cooperation within three months. Trump said the United States will secure mining rights for lithium and cobalt from Congo. These metals are essential for making electric car batteries and other technology products. China currently controls much of the mineral trade in the region.
Some officials praised the agreement as a major step toward peace. Others criticized the deal for rewarding aggression and failing to address human rights violations. The conflict has roots in the 1994 Rwanda genocide when hundreds of thousands died. Previous peace agreements have failed to bring lasting stability to the area.
