Thu Dec 04 03:43:53 UTC 2025: Summary:

U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to sign a peace agreement. Trump hopes this agreement will pave the way for U.S. access to critical minerals in the eastern DRC. However, the agreement is overshadowed by ongoing violence in the region, where the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group is gaining ground. Despite claims of a ceasefire following a June agreement brokered by Qatar, both sides accuse each other of violations. The DRC insists that peace on the ground is a prerequisite for economic development. Meanwhile, both countries are in talks with the U.S. regarding taking in migrants as part of Trump’s deportation drive.

News Article:

Trump Hosts Rwandan, Congolese Leaders for Peace Deal Amidst Ongoing Violence

Washington, D.C. – December 4, 2025 – U.S. President Donald Trump is hosting Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi today at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump U.S. Institute of Peace to sign a peace agreement, aiming to end years of conflict in the region. This comes despite ongoing violence in the eastern DRC, where the Rwandan-backed M23 armed group continues to gain ground.

President Trump has touted the agreement as another achievement in ending wars since returning to office in January. Reports suggest the deal would also aim to enable the United States to gain control over critical minerals in the DRC such as cobalt, essential for electric vehicle batteries.

“This isn’t selling out on minerals to the Americans,” said DRC Presidential spokeswoman Tina Salama, stating that “peace on the ground” is the priority.

The agreement follows a prior deal brokered by Qatar in June, which aimed for a ceasefire, but both sides have since accused the other of violations. Intense fighting continues in the eastern DRC with reports of bombed houses and deaths.

In addition to the peace agreement, both Rwanda and the DRC are reportedly engaged in talks with the U.S. administration concerning taking in migrants as part of President Trump’s sweeping deportation drive.

Read More