African leaders heap praises on Trump as Rwanda, DR Congo sign peace deal

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) signed a US-brokered peace deal in Washington on Friday, ending a decades-long standoff in the Great Lakes region and offering a fragile but hopeful path toward stability.

The signing ceremony, held at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, brought together US President Donald Trump, Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, DRC’s Félix Tshisekedi, Kenya’s William Ruto, regional leaders, foreign ministers, and top US officials.

The agreement marks the culmination of months of negotiations stemming from a June deal intended to halt conflict in eastern DRC, where clashes between the M23 rebel group and Congolese forces have displaced thousands.

Even in the hours before the signing, fresh skirmishes near Uvira highlighted the precarious nature of the moment.

Nevertheless, Trump described the occasion as a turning point. “I have a lot of confidence in both leaders. We’ll keep these commitments. I know they’re going to keep them and follow through on the agreement and create a much brighter future for the people of their countries and they’re heroes within their countries,” he said.

The deal includes a permanent ceasefire, disarmament of non-state armed groups, safe return of displaced families, and an economic framework designed to stabilise the region.

Trump also announced new mineral agreements between the US, Rwanda, and the DRC, aimed at expanding trade and unlocking opportunities for US companies.

Kagame praised Trump’s role in bringing the parties together, describing him as an “even-handed leader” who “never takes sides” and acted decisively to address the crisis.

He warned, however, that the success of the agreement depends on African leadership and accountability. “President Trump’s approach is pragmatic.

As a result, we have the clearest and most viable path forward that we have ever had. If this agreement falters and things do not work out as they are supposed to, the responsibility will not lie with President Trump, but with ourselves.

We now only want to look forward in a confident expectation of a prosperous and stable future,” Kagame said.

DRC President Tshisekedi echoed the optimism, committing to honour the deal and expressing trust that Rwanda would reciprocate.

“We have shared struggles against armed groups, and it is our duty to ensure this agreement succeeds,” he said.

Kenyan President William Ruto also praised Trump’s leadership and described the peace pact as a gateway to unlocking Africa’s natural wealth. “The Great Lakes region stands at the threshold of a new era. Peace will open doors, integration will guide us, and private sector dynamism will propel us forward,” he said.

The agreement comes amid a conflict that has persisted since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with eastern DRC remaining contested by dozens of armed groups, including the ethnic Tutsi-led M23, which controls strategic mineral-rich areas.

Despite lingering tensions, the Washington deal is being hailed by African leaders as a historic step toward reconciliation and regional stability.

President Trump himself has repeatedly touted the agreement as one of the eight ‘wars’ he ended since he took office in January this year.