In a landmark diplomatic move, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday hosted the formal signing of a “Declaration of Principles” between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), signaling a new commitment to peace following months of bloody conflict in Eastern Congo.
The signing, held at the U.S. State Department, included DRC Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner and Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe, both of whom agreed to work towards a permanent truce amid the devastating violence linked to M23 rebel activities.
The M23 group, widely believed by UN experts and Western governments to receive backing from Rwanda—a claim Kigali firmly denies—has seized several strategic cities in the mineral-rich but unstable eastern DRC. Since January, the border conflict has claimed thousands of lives, prompting urgent international mediation.
In a surprising development earlier this week, the DRC and M23 rebels announced a ceasefire as groundwork for peace negotiations. The truce has been cautiously welcomed by the international community, especially as Qatar quietly facilitated behind-the-scenes talks that led to this breakthrough.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a U.S. official said the United States’ renewed involvement is partly tied to DRC’s willingness to open talks on critical minerals vital to global supply chains. With mounting concerns about Chinese dominance in rare earth resources, the Biden-Trump transition era seems to be reshaping mineral diplomacy in Africa.
Adding a layer of high-profile attention, Massad Boulos—U.S. envoy and father-in-law of former President Trump’s daughter Tiffany—visited the region earlier this month, calling for the withdrawal of all Rwandan troops from Congolese territory.
While the “Declaration of Principles” has not been fully disclosed, insiders describe it as a confidence-building document with commitments to territorial respect, humanitarian access, and political engagement.
The world will now be watching whether this agreement can hold in the long run—and whether it signals a new era of U.S.-led diplomacy in Central Africa.
Newspot Nigeria will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as peace efforts unfold in the Great Lakes region.
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