The Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda have agreed to a U.S.-brokered peace deal, signaling a rare moment of diplomatic cooperation between two countries long divided by conflict and suspicion.
Foreign Ministers from both nations signed a Declaration of Principles in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio looking on. The agreement aims to ease tensions, particularly in the conflict-ridden eastern Congo, while also securing access to the region’s critical mineral resources—resources the U.S. considers vital to its economic and national security interests.
At the heart of this deal is a familiar but increasingly urgent issue: control over minerals like cobalt and lithium, which are essential for manufacturing batteries, electric vehicles, and other clean energy technologies. The DR Congo holds some of the world’s richest reserves, but ongoing instability—fueled by armed groups and allegations of Rwandan interference—has threatened production and disrupted global supply chains.
For Washington, stepping in wasn’t just about peacemaking—it was about ensuring the future of high-tech and green energy industries. By encouraging both countries to commit to a framework for stability, the U.S. is betting that diplomacy can help secure the minerals it needs while calming a volatile region.
Still, peace in the Great Lakes region has proven elusive in the past. Previous accords have failed to stop violence or address deeper political grievances. Whether this agreement will lead to lasting change remains uncertain.
But with global demand for critical minerals surging, and Congo’s mineral-rich soil becoming a geopolitical hotspot, the world will be watching closely.
