WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump has suggested that a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) could be on the horizon, describing the potential deal as a “perfect thing” and signaling his involvement in negotiations.
During a recent statement, Trump expressed optimism about the ongoing efforts to bring peace to the region, stating, “We have great news coming up with Rwanda and the Congo, and I think you’re going to be seeing peace in Rwanda and the Congo and a few other nations right around, and that will be a perfect thing.”
This follows months of escalating tensions between the DRC and Rwanda, which have been exacerbated by the presence of the M23 rebel group, which has seized large portions of eastern Congo, including vital cities like Goma and Bukavu.
Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23 rebels, but the government in Kigali has consistently denied these allegations, framing its military operations in the DRC as a defensive response to armed groups based on Congolese territory.
Amid these tensions, the United States has expressed interest in exploring a potential minerals partnership with the DRC, a country rich in cobalt, lithium, and uranium, which are vital to global supply chains.
President Trump has negotiated peace between Rwanda and Congo in record time, and the entire media is ignoring it.“We have great news coming up with Rwanda and the Congo, and I think you’re going to be seeing peace in Rwanda and the Congo and a few other nations right around,
This interest comes as the U.S. seeks to diversify its mineral supply chains, currently dominated by China, which has a strong foothold in Congo’s mineral sector through state-backed enterprises.
The DRC has become increasingly attractive to the U.S. due to its vast mineral wealth, and a Congolese senator, Pierre Kanda Kalambayi, has lobbied for a “minerals-for-security” deal, offering investment in exchange for U.S. support in the DRC’s battle with M23 rebels.
However, no official proposal has been made, and Congolese officials have distanced themselves from Kalambayi’s initiative, stating it was not sanctioned by the government or presidency.
Despite this, there are ongoing discussions, with Andre Wameso, a key aide to President Félix Tshisekedi, traveling to Washington earlier this year for talks on potential cooperation.
Although experts believe the U.S. is likely to take an interest in Congo’s mineral potential, they caution that a straightforward deal may be complicated, particularly given the structural challenges the U.S. faces in competing with China’s dominance in the sector.
Still, President Trump’s comments raise hope that diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing both regional security concerns and the DRC’s resource wealth could lead to a significant shift in U.S.-Congo relations.
