On April 25, 2025, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a Declaration of Principles in Washington, D.C., committing to draft a peace agreement by May 2, 2025, to address the escalating conflict in eastern DRC.
The agreement, facilitated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Qatar’s mediation, aims to halt violence driven by the M23 rebel group, which Rwanda is accused of supporting. While diplomatic sources indicate a potential signing of the final peace deal in June 2025 at the White House, with U.S. President Donald Trump possibly overseeing the event, no official date has been confirmed. The declaration marks a significant step toward de-escalating a conflict that has displaced millions and killed thousands in the mineral-rich region.
The agreement stipulates mutual respect for sovereignty, cessation of military support for non-state armed groups, and a diplomatic pathway to resolve disputes. Rwanda denies direct military involvement with M23, a Tutsi-led militia, but faces criticism from the U.S., UN, and Western governments for alleged backing. The DRC, in turn, has been urged to address armed groups like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which threaten Rwanda’s security.
The U.S. has appointed businessman Massad Boulos as a special envoy to push for Rwanda’s withdrawal of troops from DRC territory and to secure American interests in critical minerals like cobalt and lithium, vital for advanced technologies. The declaration also promises significant U.S. private-sector investments to stabilize the region.
The peace process follows months of violence, with M23 seizing major cities like Goma, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis affecting 28 million Congolese facing acute hunger. Previous ceasefires, including one mediated by Angola in 2024, collapsed due to violations by both sides. The current initiative, supported by Qatar’s recent talks with M23 and DRC officials, seeks to establish a framework for lasting stability. Challenges remain, including verifying troop withdrawals and ensuring compliance with the agreement’s terms. If successful, the June signing could attract billions in Western investment, bolstering economic development in both nations while addressing geopolitical tensions over resource control in the Great Lakes region.