Tshisekedi Says US-Brokered Peace Deal With Rwanda Fails to Halt Fighting in Eastern DRC

DRC’s Tshisekedi: US-Mediated Peace Deal With Rwanda Stalls as M23 Conflict Persists

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said on Monday that a US-mediated peace deal with Rwanda, signed in June, has so far failed to stop fighting in the country’s conflict-ridden east.

Speaking in New York, Tshisekedi thanked US President Donald Trump for his mediation efforts but stressed that violence persists.

A Fragile US-Brokered Agreement

The peace deal, brokered by Washington on June 27, sought to end Rwandan support for the M23 rebel movement, which both the US and UN experts accuse Kigali of backing. The agreement included deadlines for implementation, with one key benchmark set for this month.

The Trump administration has tied its push for peace to plans for attracting billions in Western investment to eastern Congo, a region rich in cobalt, copper, lithium, tantalum, and gold.

Despite welcoming US involvement, Tshisekedi warned against compromising Congo’s sovereignty:

“It does not mean that we will auction our mineral resources,” he told reporters.
“We will, as part of this partnership, be working in the development of the mining sector, developing the value chain, and investing in infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on energy.”

Strategic Partnerships With the US and China

Tshisekedi confirmed that the DRC has already signed a strategic partnership with China and is in talks for a similar agreement with the United States, though he provided no further details.

Rwanda’s Role Under Scrutiny

Kinshasa maintains that the success of the US-brokered deal hinges on Rwanda halting support for M23, which the DRC accuses of committing atrocities in the east. Kigali denies aiding the rebels, claiming its forces act in self-defense.

“Rwanda pretended to withdraw their troops, but actually, they are increasing their support to M23,” Tshisekedi said.

M23, for its part, rejects accusations of civilian attacks and insists that the release of prisoners must precede any progress in peace talks. Congolese officials argue that prisoner releases can only follow the signing of a peace agreement.

Mediation Efforts and Prisoner Exchange

Earlier this year, Qatar brokered a surprise meeting between Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, which led to direct talks between Kinshasa and M23. However, the two sides failed to meet the August 18 deadline for a final peace deal.

Still, Tshisekedi suggested there has been progress toward a possible prisoner exchange, saying:

“As a matter of fact, we are waiting for the Red Cross to give us a go-ahead to proceed with the exchange of prisoners.”