US-Brokered DRC-Rwanda Peace Deal Falters as Minerals Rush In and Fighters Don't Leave

A peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, brokered in Washington with much fanfare, is struggling to deliver the stability its architects promised, even as American companies rush to secure access to the region's mineral wealth.

The accord, signed by the two countries' foreign ministers and mediated by the United States and Qatar under the oversight of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, called for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern DRC and for Kinshasa to end its support for the FDLR militia, alongside a framework for regional economic integration built around critical minerals trade involving American firms.

Implementation has repeatedly stumbled. Rwandan troops have not fully withdrawn, the FDLR has not been disbanded, and talks between the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group have failed to produce a comprehensive peace deal. In a stark illustration of the gap between paper and reality, M23 launched a rapid offensive toward Uvira in December, capturing the strategic South Kivu settlement despite the ceasefire that was supposed to be in effect — before withdrawing its fighters in January under sustained American pressure.

Meetings between DRC and Rwandan envoys in Washington in March saw the US push both sides to honour their commitments before the end of 2026, but the pattern of announced breakthroughs followed by battlefield setbacks has repeated itself throughout the process. A separate framework agreement between the DRC and M23 to pursue further negotiations has yet to translate into a lasting settlement.