Ceasefire Signed Between DR Congo and Rwanda, but Armed Militias and Resource Tensions Cast Doubt
Washington D.C. – The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have signed a peace agreement aimed at ending years of deadly conflict in the mineral-rich eastern region of Congo. But just hours before the signing ceremony, armed militants struck a displaced persons camp, underlining the deep challenges that still remain.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who played a mediating role, congratulated Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi in a letter presented during a meeting with both countries’ foreign ministers in Washington on June 27. Trump wrote that the agreement marked a “critical step toward stability in the Great Lakes region.”
Despite the ceremony, violence continued on the ground. In Ituri province, members of the Codeco militia reportedly killed 10 civilians at a displacement camp shortly before the deal was formalized. The group is one of many active non-state militias in the area.
The deal requires the disarmament and withdrawal of armed proxies believed to be backed by both nations. It also calls for safe conditions to be created for hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians to return home. That outcome remains uncertain, given the heavy presence of militias and long-standing economic interests tied to control of mineral territories.
The eastern region of DR Congo is rich in cobalt, coltan, and other minerals vital to the production of electric vehicle batteries and smartphones. This high-value terrain has become a target for armed groups seeking profit. The agreement does not include a plan for reducing the economic dependence of these militias on the illicit mineral trade, raising concerns about enforcement.
Rwanda has long denied deploying troops inside DR Congo. However, multiple verified reports have shown evidence of Rwandan support for the M23 rebel group, which has been active in the region. U.S. officials maintain that Rwanda’s withdrawal depends on the dismantling of the FDLR, a Hutu-led militia that Kigali claims is backed by Kinshasa and poses a threat to its national security.
“The presence of Rwandan troops will end once the FDLR is neutralized,” a U.S. official stated on condition of anonymity, describing the current deployment as a “defensive measure.”
Observers have expressed concern that any peace gains may be short-lived unless the deal includes a stronger framework for addressing the root causes of conflict especially competition over mineral control and lack of trust between local communities and armed forces.
President Tshisekedi has not confirmed whether any provisions in the agreement include preferential access for the United States to Congo’s mineral exports, though sources close to the negotiations indicate this was a key interest for Washington’s involvement.
In Kinshasa, many citizens remain skeptical. The country’s resources have historically enriched foreign interests while doing little to improve lives at home.
“It’s hard to believe in peace deals that don’t fix the reasons we keep fighting,” said a local activist in Goma, who requested not to be named for security reasons.
The coming weeks will test whether this ceasefire can move beyond paper and bring real change on the ground. Without full disarmament, withdrawal of foreign troops, and economic alternatives for fighters, the path to peace remains steep and uncertain.
