The United States is working to broker a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with plans to host the signing ceremony at the White House in approximately two months.
Alongside the accord, the U.S. is set to facilitate two significant mineral deals — one with each country — that could unlock billions of dollars in Western investment.
“When we sign the peace agreement … the minerals deal with the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) will be signed on that day, and then a similar package, but of a different size, will be signed on that day with Rwanda.”
Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump’s senior advisor
The push for a peace accord comes as Rwandan-backed M23 rebels make major territorial advances in eastern Congo, intensifying a long-running conflict in a region rich in high-demand resources like gold and tantalum. While multiple sources have reported Rwanda’s alleged support for the rebel group, Kigali has consistently denied the accusations.
According to Boulos, both countries are expected to submit separate drafts of a peace agreement today, May 2. These drafts form part of a broader peace process initiated in Washington last week and represent the most serious diplomatic attempt yet to end the violent unrest in the mineral-rich Great Lakes region.
Boulos also revealed that U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will host a high-level meeting in Washington in mid-May with the foreign ministers of Rwanda and Congo. The goal of this meeting will be to finalize the peace deal and agree on a framework for economic cooperation.
“The (agreement) with the D.R.C. is at a much bigger scale, because it’s a much bigger country and it has much more resources, but Rwanda also has a lot of resources and capacities and potential in the area of mining as well … not just the upstream, but also midstream and downstream to processing and refining and trading.”
Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump’s senior advisor
However, Boulos emphasized that the final agreement hinges on both countries addressing each other’s pressing security concerns and on concluding bilateral economic deals with Washington.
Rwanda is expected to withdraw its military forces from Congolese territory and cease any backing for M23 rebels. On the other hand, Kinshasa must address Kigali’s concerns regarding hostile militias such as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which operate from within Congolese borders.
US Mineral Deals To Follow Peace Accord
U.S. officials say that once both bilateral mineral deals are signed, companies from the U.S. and other Western nations have committed to making multibillion-dollar investments across the region. These would include large-scale mining operations, transport infrastructure, and mineral processing facilities, particularly in Rwanda, which has emerged as a key hub for refining.
To ensure accountability and progress on the peace roadmap, a multinational follow-up committee has been established. The committee includes representatives from the United States, Qatar, France, and Togo — the latter serving on behalf of the African Union. This group will monitor and assess each country’s compliance as preparations continue toward the anticipated White House event.
The proposed peace accord and mineral partnerships have the potential to transform the economic and geopolitical dynamics of Central Africa. If successful, they could mark a turning point in the region’s history, ushering in an era of cooperation, stability, and sustained development, anchored by billions in foreign investment and stronger regional ties.
