The United States is intensifying efforts to broker a peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The aim is to resolve a decades-long conflict in eastern Congo while securing access to the region’s rich deposits of critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and tantalum.
This was revealed by Massad Boulos, President Donald Trump’s senior adviser for Africa, on Thursday, May 15, 2025.
Boulos held discussions with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi to advance a draft peace deal.
Progress in Peace Talks
Boulos in an interview expressed optimism about the negotiations, noting that both leaders responded positively to the draft agreement.
“Their feedback was very encouraging, and they’re eager to collaborate with the U.S., Qatar, and the African Union to achieve a lasting resolution,” he said.
The U.S. is awaiting final comments from Rwanda and the DRC, with potential amendments expected before a final accord is reached in the coming weeks.
The draft builds on proposals submitted by both nations earlier in May 2025, as part of a U.S.-led initiative to halt the violence and unlock billions in Western investment.
Boulos indicated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio is prepared to host Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers in Washington to finalize the agreement, though no specific timeline for the meeting has been confirmed.
Conflict and M23 Rebel Advance
The diplomacy comes amid escalating violence driven by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has made significant territorial gains in eastern Congo.
In late January 2025, M23 seized Goma, the region’s largest city, followed by Bukavu, displacing hundreds of thousands and causing thousands of deaths.
The United Nations and Western governments have accused Rwanda of providing arms and troops to M23.
These allegations of which Kigali denies, claiming its military actions are defensive against Congo’s army and militias linked to the 1994 genocide.
U.S. Strategic Interests
The Trump administration’s push for peace aligns with its broader foreign policy goals, including securing access to critical minerals essential for technology and renewable energy sectors.
It is well known that Eastern Congo is a global hub for tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium, which makes it a strategic priority for the U.S. amid competition with China and other powers.
The administration has also prioritized peace accords in regions like Ukraine, reflecting a pattern of high-profile diplomatic initiatives.
The peace process is seen as a dual opportunity to stabilize the region and attract significant Western investment, potentially transforming eastern Congo’s economy.
However, the M23’s advances and Rwanda’s alleged involvement pose significant challenges to achieving a sustainable resolution.
Next Steps and Regional Implications
As the U.S. awaits feedback on the draft, the involvement of Qatar and the African Union underscores the international scope of the effort.
Boulos’s engagement with Kagame and Tshisekedi signals the Trump administration’s commitment to high-level diplomacy.
If finalized, the agreement could pave the way for enhanced U.S. economic engagement in Congo’s mineral sector while addressing one of Africa’s most protracted conflicts.
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