Ashfaq baig 
A major peace deal has finalized in Washington, D.C. on December 4, 2025 (Trump hails). The deal is between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. These two African nations have suffered through decades of conflict. The violence in the eastern DRC has caused huge human suffering.
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted the signing ceremony. He called the agreement a “great day for the world.” This historic document has named the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. It has signed by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame. The accord aims to end the fighting. It also aims to create a new economic future for the entire Great Lakes region.
The Final Signing in Washington Trump hails
The final signing ceremony was a high-profile event. It was the result of many months of intense diplomatic work. The United States and Qatar acted as the main mediators. The ceremony has held in Washington on a Thursday. Several other African leaders were also present. This showed the agreement’s importance for the whole continent.
The Washington Accords affirm earlier agreements. The core Peace Agreement has signed by the countries’ foreign ministers back in June 2025. The deal signed this week in December was the final, formal ratification by the heads of state. This final step marks a huge commitment. It shows both countries are serious about moving past the violence.
The Core Promises of the Accords Trump hails
The Washington Accords focus on three main areas. They cover security, humanitarian issues, and economic cooperation. These elements have designed to solve the root causes of the conflict.
First, on security, the deal demands an end to support for armed groups. The DRC must stop supporting the FDLR militia. Rwanda must stop supporting the M23 rebel group. The FDLR has linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. The M23 is a major rebel force in the eastern DRC. The agreement calls for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the eastern DRC. It also establishes a Joint Security Coordination Mechanism. This group will monitor compliance.
Second, the deal addresses the massive humanitarian crisis. It calls for the safe return of refugees. It also asks for the return of people displaced within the DRC. Third, and perhaps most important to the US, is the economic framework.
The Economic Integration Framework Trump hails
The peace deal includes a Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF). This framework is a groundbreaking part of the agreement. It aims to create a common economic zone. This zone will unlock the vast wealth of the Great Lakes region. The region is rich in valuable critical minerals.
The framework is a key reason for the strong U.S. involvement. The United States wants secure, reliable supply chains for critical minerals. These minerals are used in everything from electric cars to advanced defense technology. The REIF will create opportunities for American businesses. It will also introduce greater transparency to the mineral trade. This is intended to stop the illegal trade of minerals that fuels the war.
Trump’s Personal Involvement
President Trump took great pride in the success of the Washington Accords. He made a statement after the signing. This said the two countries had spent a lot of time “killing each other.” He said they would now spend time “taking advantage of the United States of America economically.” His comments highlighted the economic focus of the deal.
The deal is a major diplomatic victory for the Trump administration. It follows months of intense diplomacy. A White House official noted that President Trump made it clear that the ongoing conflict was “unacceptable.” The US insistence on a resolution helped push the two countries to finalize the peace. For the US President, it is a significant foreign policy achievement.
The Long Road to Peace Trump hails
The conflict between the DRC and Rwanda has lasted for three decades. It is rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Rwanda accuses the DRC of supporting the FDLR. The DRC accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebels. Both sides deny supporting the groups. The violence has killed millions of people over the years. Millions more have been forced to leave their homes.
Previous mediation efforts by countries like Kenya and Angola failed. The difference this time was the level of commitment from the United States. DRC President Tshisekedi had earlier reached out to President Trump. He offered the U.S. access to his country’s critical minerals in exchange for security help. This offer set the stage for the successful negotiations.
Strategic Partnership with the United States
The finalization of the Washington Accords led to other key agreements. The United States signed two new bilateral instruments. These agreements deepen the US partnerships with both Rwanda and the DRC.
The US signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with the DRC. This deal recognizes the DRC’s important role in Africa. It aims to support long-term economic development. The US also signed a Framework for Shared Economic Prosperity with Rwanda. These deals show that the US is committing to the long-term stability of the region. The goal is to build strong, reliable partners in Central Africa.
Concerns and Challenges Remain
The signing of a peace treaty is only the first step. Many experts and aid organizations remain cautious. They point out that fighting continued in the eastern DRC even on the day of the signing. Amnesty International noted that months of earlier diplomatic talks did not stop human rights abuses. Trump hails
Nobel Peace Prize winner Denis Mukwege criticized the deal. He said the focus was more on the “scramble for minerals” than on a true end to the bloodshed. The Congolese government spokesperson urged patience. He said, “Peace is not just a signature; the hardest part is implementation.” Both the DRC army and the M23 rebels continue to accuse each other of breaking previous ceasefires. Trump hails
The Critical Minerals Debate Trump hails
The economic focus of the Washington Accords has caused some debate. The DRC is one of the world’s richest countries in minerals. It holds vast amounts of cobalt, copper, and lithium. These minerals are vital for the world’s move to green energy. Trump hails
The U.S. goal is clear. It wants to break China’s control over the global critical minerals market. The new REIF framework is designed to help U.S. private sector companies invest in and develop these resources. DRC President Tshisekedi’s spokesperson was clear. She stated that the agreement “reaffirms Congo’s full sovereignty” over its mineral resources. The deal is about better structuring the economy. It is not about selling off the country’s wealth. Trump hails
The Path to Implementation
The success of the Washington Accords will depend entirely on implementation. The agreement sets a clear timeline for the next steps. It calls for the creation of the joint security mechanism within 30 days. It also requires the economic integration framework to begin within 90 days. Trump hails
African leaders present at the signing stressed the need for Africa to take ownership. Rwandan President Kagame said, “It’s up to us in Africa, working with our partners, to consolidate and expand this peace.” The road will have many challenges. But the process has strong international support from the US and Qatar. This pressure will be key to making sure the commitments are met. Trump hails
A New Era of Diplomacy
The peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda showcases a key element of President Trump’s foreign policy. His style emphasizes direct negotiation and economic incentives. By linking the peace process to US economic interests in critical minerals, he created a powerful reason for both African leaders to compromise. Trump hails
This new style of diplomacy achieved a result where years of traditional efforts had failed. The ceremony in Washington was a major diplomatic event. It brought together two rival African leaders. It showed the world that the US is serious about resolving conflicts that have long been ignored. Trump hails
Hope for the Great Lakes
The final signing of the Washington Accords is a moment of great hope. President Trump called it a “great day for the world.” For the millions of people in the Great Lakes region, it promises an end to violence. It also offers a chance for real economic prosperity. Trump hails
The agreement requires Rwanda to withdraw its troops and the DRC to deal with the FDLR. The heart of the deal is the commitment to fair economic integration focused on critical minerals. While the hardest work of implementing peace on the ground lies ahead, the formal commitment is a vital first step. The US-brokered accord has created a historic foundation. It may finally bring lasting stability to one of the world’s most war-torn regions. Trump hails
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