African leaders praise US-brokered peace deal between DRC and Rwanda

African leaders have welcomed a U.S.-brokered peace and economic agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, describing it as a pivotal chance to halt decades of destabilizing conflict in the Great Lakes region. The deal, signed in Washington on Thursday, aims to address the protracted violence in eastern DRC, where the M23 rebel group's offensive has uprooted millions and claimed thousands of lives.

Commitments from Kagame and Tshisekedi

Rwandan President Paul Kagame praised U.S. President Donald Trump's role, stating Trump "saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it." Kagame acknowledged potential challenges ahead but stressed that the responsibility for success now lies with the African parties. Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi called the pact a "turning point," combining principles of peace with a framework for regional economic integration. He committed to implementing the agreement with "complete sincerity" to overcome cycles of violence and mistrust.

Regional Endorsements and Call to Expand Peace Efforts

Kenyan President William Ruto hailed the accord as a "decisive act to end a devastating conflict," describing Trump's achievement as "transformative" and "historic." He vowed to mobilize regional resources to ensure the deal's implementation. Ruto also urged Trump to extend his diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan. Angolan President Joao Lourenco emphasized the region's vast agricultural and mineral resources, arguing that nothing justifies continued war, and appealed to both nations to implement the agreement successfully for the benefit of their people and the continent.

Context of the Eastern Congo Conflict

The conflict in eastern Congo, reignited in 2021 with the M23 resurgence, has caused immense human suffering. The UN and the Congolese government have long accused Rwanda of backing the M23 rebels, a charge Kigali denies. The new U.S.-mediated deal represents the latest in a series of international attempts to broker a lasting solution, with regional leaders expressing hope that it will finally pave the way for stability and economic cooperation in the resource-rich but war-torn region.