Rwanda, Congo Leaders Renew Pledge to U.S.-Mediated Peace Accord

President Donald Trump hosted the presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda in Washington on Thursday, as the two nations renewed their commitment to a peace initiative despite ongoing violence in their region.

Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi reiterated their support for an economic integration pact that was concluded last month, alongside a peace accord brokered by the United States in June.

During the meeting, the two leaders were also expected to sign a separate agreement focused on the development and supply of critical minerals. 

The signing handed Trump the latest in a series of made-for-television diplomatic victories, in this case one at odds with the bloody situation on the ground.

 Washington wants access to a spectrum of natural resources in Congo and is scrambling globally to counter China’s dominance in critical minerals.

“We’re settling a war that’s been going on for decades,” Trump said. “They spent a lot of time killing each other, and now they’re going to spend a lot of time hugging, holding hands, and taking advantage of the United States of America economically – like every other country does.”

Source: Reuters