President Donald Trump on Thursday applauded the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for what he called a major step toward ending decades of conflict in eastern Congo.
During a televised ceremony at the White House, Trump highlighted the signing of a new agreement aimed at easing tensions between the two countries an agreement he described as a landmark achievement.
“These are two men doing a great job,” Trump said of Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. “They want a better life for their people, and they are great leaders.”
The moment came despite fresh reports of fighting between the Congolese army and Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in South Kivu province.
Both Kagame and Tshisekedi struck an optimistic tone. Kagame said the U.S. president “immediately took up” the effort to advance peace in a region that he noted is often far from global attention. Tshisekedi called the agreement “the beginning of a new path difficult, yes, but a turning point toward real peace.”
Analysts, however, caution that the deal is unlikely to bring rapid change on the ground. The M23 rebel group was not part of the Washington talks and is not bound by the terms of the agreement. The group is engaged separately in Qatar-mediated negotiations with the Congolese government.
The White House hailed the pact as “historic,” noting it finalizes a previous framework signed in June and supports broader regional economic integration efforts involving the three nations.
Trump also announced new bilateral agreements with both Congo and Rwanda, saying they will open the door to expanded U.S. access to critical minerals—arrangements he said would boost all three economies.
