Trump Administration Pushes Rwanda-DR Congo Peace Deal with U.S. Investment Tied to Minerals

Massad Boulos, senior adviser to President Donald Trump on African affairs, told Reuters that a landmark peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda is set to be signed at the White House, the official residence of the U.S. President.

Boulos stated that on Friday, May 2, 2025, both Rwanda and the DRC are required to submit preliminary drafts of the peace agreement to the United States. Each side is expected to provide a foundational document outlining their commitments to the peace deal, which is anticipated to be finalized and signed within the next two months.

According to Boulos, by mid-May, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio will meet in Washington, D.C., with representatives of the foreign ministries of Rwanda and the DRC to finalize the wording of the peace agreement. After this, preparations will be made for an official signing ceremony, where President Trump is expected to host both Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi at the White House.

Washington has emphasized that certain conditions must be met before the agreement is officially signed. The DRC government is expected to resolve lingering security issues in the east of the country, including dismantling the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a rebel group linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Additionally, the DRC must complete key domestic reforms concerning governance and fair distribution of resources across provinces.

Boulos also revealed that the peace agreement will include a trilateral investment pact, where U.S. and Western companies will be granted access to invest in the mining sectors of both Rwanda and the DRC. He noted that once the agreement is signed, American and Western companies are expected to invest billions of dollars into mineral extraction in both countries.

This initiative reflects ongoing efforts by the United States and Qatar to mediate a sustainable peace between Rwanda and the DRC, following decades of conflict in eastern Congo—a region rich in valuable minerals such as coltan, cobalt, and gold. The mineral wealth of this region is vital to global supply chains, particularly for electronics and electric vehicles.

The conflict has been marred by mutual accusations. Rwanda is often accused of backing the M23 rebel group, a charge it denies, while Kigali has consistently accused Kinshasa of collaborating with the FDLR and of harboring intentions to destabilize Rwanda.

Critics of the Kinshasa government, including prominent Congolese opposition figures Joseph Kabila, Moïse Katumbi, Martin Fayulu, and Delly Sesanga, have expressed skepticism about the peace process. In a joint statement, they argued that the peace initiative will not succeed if ordinary Congolese are excluded from the negotiations. They also called for transparency regarding the mining investment agreements being brokered, insisting that the terms of these deals should be made public to ensure accountability.

This latest diplomatic push underscores the strategic importance of the Great Lakes region for global powers, both in terms of regional stability and access to critical mineral resources. However, many local observers remain cautious, warning that without genuine local participation and long-term commitment to reforms, peace efforts may fall short of delivering lasting results.