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By Gabe Whisnant
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Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a landmark agreement Thursday at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, where President Trump praised the pact — and the building’s new name — as the two nations sought to end fighting in eastern Congo.
“I do believe this day is the beginning of a new path, a demanding path, yes. Indeed, quite difficult,” Tshisekedi said. “But this is a path where peace will not just be a wish, an aspiration, but a turning point.”
Trump applauded what he called a “spectacular” venue and thanked Secretary of State Marco Rubio for affixing his name to the institute, even as his administration remains locked in a legal battle over control of the facility.
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“Thank you for putting a certain name on that,” Trump said to Rubio during the event. “That blew up last night.”
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What to Know About the Conflict Between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda
Tensions between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda have simmered for decades, rooted in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and the movement of armed groups across their shared border. Congo accuses Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group operating in its eastern provinces, a charge Rwanda denies, while Rwanda says Congo tolerates militias hostile to its government. The conflict has displaced millions, worsened humanitarian conditions and drawn international concern as fighting continues around mineral-rich regions.
Trump’s Peace Deal for the Congo and Rwanda: What to Know
The U.S.-backed agreement is aimed at easing long-running conflict in eastern Congo and expanding American access to the region’s vast mineral reserves. Trump praised Tshisekedi and Kagame for what he called “courage” in pursuing the deal and used the moment to cast himself as a global dealmaker, saying the pact marked success “where so many others have failed.” The White House has framed the agreement as “historic,” following months of mediation by the United States, the African Union and Qatar, and building on a framework first reached in June.
“No one was asking President Trump to take up this task. Our region is far from the headlines,” Kagame said. “But when the president saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it.”
Analysts warn that the pact is unlikely to deliver quick peace, with both sides trading accusations of cease-fire violations and local residents reporting ongoing clashes. At the same time, the United States announced new bilateral deals with Congo and Rwanda that will open access to critical minerals—an economic dimension Trump emphasized as key to countering China’s dominance in rare earth processing.
Later Thursday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is scheduled to host a meeting bringing together American business leaders with Congolese and Rwandan delegations to discuss potential investments in critical minerals, energy and tourism.
Where Is Rwanda?
Rwanda is a small, landlocked nation in East Africa bordered by Uganda to the north, Tanzania to the east, Burundi to the south and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. Known for its hilly terrain and rapid economic growth in recent years, the country occupies a strategic position in the Great Lakes region and has played an outsized role in regional security dynamics.
Where Is the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of Africa’s largest countries, stretching across Central Africa and bordered by nine nations, including Rwanda, Uganda and Angola. Rich in natural resources such as cobalt, copper and gold, it has also struggled with chronic instability, particularly in its eastern provinces where numerous armed groups operate.
Who Is the President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is led by President Tshisekedi, who took office in 2019 in the country’s first peaceful transfer of power since independence. Tshisekedi has faced persistent security challenges in the east and has made the restoration of stability a central priority, including through regional diplomacy such as the agreement signed Thursday.
Updates: 12/4/25, 2:40 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information.
Updates: 12/4/25, 5:43 p.m. ET: This article was updated with new information and remarks.
This article includes reporting by the Associated Press.
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