Will a New Deal End War in Eastern DR Congo?

On June 27, 2025, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a U.S.-brokered peace deal in Washington to end decades of conflict in eastern DRC, rooted in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The agreement, signed by foreign ministers and witnessed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, mandates Rwanda to withdraw its troops within 90 days and the DRC to neutralize the Hutu-led FDLR militia. It also aims to disarm the M23 rebels, who, backed by Rwanda, seized key cities like Goma and Bukavu in 2025, displacing over 500,000 people. The deal includes a regional economic framework to attract Western investment in the DRC’s mineral-rich east, abundant in cobalt, coltan, and lithium.

However, skepticism persists. Critics, including Nobel laureate Denis Mukwege, call the deal vague, lacking clarity on justice and reparations. M23, not a signatory, continues territorial control, raising doubts about compliance. Rwanda denies supporting M23, claiming its presence counters FDLR threats. Past peace agreements have unraveled, and the deal’s success hinges on Rwanda’s troop withdrawal and M23’s disarmament. Analysts warn that without addressing root causes—ethnic tensions, resource competition, and weak governance—peace remains fragile. The U.S. interest in mineral access adds complexity, potentially prioritizing economic gains over lasting stability