WASHINGTON / KINSHASA, CONGO – U.S.‑brokered peace efforts linking Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have raised hopes of unlocking billions of dollars in Western investment, yet the unresolved fate of Rwandan-backed rebel groups such as the M23 and the Hutu FDLR now jeopardises President Trump’s vision for mineral-rich economic integration.
Trump heralded the June peace accord—signed by Rwandan and Congolese foreign ministers and overseen by U.S. officials—as “a breakthrough” that could pave the way for U.S. access to the DRC’s tantalum, cobalt, copper, lithium and gold.
The agreement commits Rwanda to withdraw troops within 90 days and Congo to neutralise the FDLR within the same timeframe as part of a synchronized blueprint to restore sovereign control over resource zones.
But a pivotal Reuters analysis warns that Rwanda may delay its pullout by citing slow progress against the FDLR, while Congo’s military collaboration with the FDLR complicates cooperation—casting doubt on whether the 90-day timetable is viable.
With M23 continuing to occupy key mining cities like Goma, progress remains stalled despite the June deal and parallel talks between Congo and M23 hosted in Qatar.
Smuggling, control and competition
Meanwhile, a recent UN report reveals that minerals such as tin, tantalum, tungsten and coltan are being smuggled from Congolese mines to Rwanda at unprecedented levels, undermining traceability and fuelling accusations of Rwanda leveraging M23 to exploit eastern Congo’s resource belt.
Despite Washington’s proposal to integrate DRC minerals into formal regional value chains—where Rwanda could process Congolese ores under U.S. investment—the illicit economy and mistrust remain major obstacles.
Implementation fragility
Progress remains fragile. Although Rwanda and the DRC convened a joint oversight committee in Washington this week to supervise implementation, Rwandan troop withdrawal hasn’t begun and operations against the FDLR remain pending—delays that threaten the stability of both security and mineral frameworks.
Analysts warn that without concrete steps to neutralise rebels and secure government control over contest zones, America’s mineral-for-security diplomacy risks falling apart. Sustained momentum will depend on stringent enforcement, international monitoring, and timely military disengagement.
Source: News Agencies
