Fragile hopes for peace in eastern Congo amid new RDC-Rwanda deal

Sunday 29 June 2025 - 07:00

By: Zahouani Ilham

Fragile hopes for peace in eastern Congo amid new RDC-Rwanda deal

The African Union has welcomed the recent peace agreement signed between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (RDC), aimed at ending the protracted conflict in the mineral-rich eastern region of the DRC. Despite the positive diplomatic tone, the deal has raised skepticism among both the Congolese population and regional experts, particularly over the exclusion of the M23 rebel group from the negotiation process.

Signed in Washington with the mediation of the United States, the accord gathered top diplomats including Marco Rubio, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner from the DRC, and Olivier Nduhungirehe from Rwanda. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the deal as a crucial step toward de-escalation and regional stability, a sentiment echoed by Mahamoud Ali Youssouf of the African Union and U.S. President Donald Trump, who called it a "new chapter of hope." Trump also hinted at future American mining rights in the DRC as part of the agreement’s outcomes.

Eastern Congo, a global hub for cobalt and coltan, has suffered from decades of armed conflict. In early 2025, the M23 movement, widely reported by international bodies to have Rwandan support, captured large areas including Goma and Bukavu. The violence displaced hundreds of thousands and worsened the humanitarian crisis. Although hostilities eased in February, clashes between the M23 and local militias persist, with accusations of human rights abuses, including summary executions in occupied zones.

Local voices remain cautious. Entrepreneur Adeline Furaha sees the agreement as a "glimmer of hope," wishing for the return of displaced families. Lionel Mapendo, from an M23-held area, expressed disappointment, fearing the deal is more about mineral trade than peace. Nobel laureate and presidential hopeful Denis Mukwege criticized the agreement for legitimizing resource exploitation and rewarding aggression.

Crucially, the M23’s absence from the agreement casts doubt on its effectiveness. The accord does not address the group's territorial control and refers to it only in connection with a separate dialogue process led by Doha. Analysts like Onesphore Sematumba warn that without the M23’s inclusion, the deal's implementation will be difficult. Kigali continues to deny aiding the rebels but insists its own security is threatened by armed factions such as the FDLR, linked to the 1994 genocide.

Rwanda’s foreign minister, Olivier Nduhungirehe, emphasized the need to neutralize the FDLR, suggesting that Rwanda might ease its defenses if this condition is met. However, political analyst Trésor Kibangula notes that these rebel groups operate in regions no longer controlled by Kinshasa, making enforcement unlikely.

While the signing ceremony marks a visible diplomatic breakthrough, experts and citizens alike fear the agreement may remain symbolic unless followed by concrete action. In Goma, resident Roland Mumbere remains doubtful: “We may still have to wait a long time before this crisis truly ends.”