In a triumphant announcement on his Truth Social platform, U.S. President Donald Trump declared a major diplomatic victory after brokering a long-awaited peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
Describing it as “a Great Day for Africa and, quite frankly, a Great Day for the World!”, Trump said both countries would formally sign the deal in Washington on June 27, bringing an end to years of tension and violent insurgencies in the eastern DRC.
The agreement—initialled after three days of closed-door talks in the U.S. capital—builds on an earlier declaration of principles signed in April. It aims to de-escalate a conflict that has plagued the region for more than 30 years, uprooting millions and claiming countless lives.
One of the flashpoints that brought renewed urgency to the crisis was the resurgence of the M23 rebel group in 2021, prompting international concern and a push for mediation. Trump’s administration seized the opportunity to step in as a broker, culminating in what is now being hailed as a potential turning point for Central Africa.
As he celebrated the deal, Trump reignited a long-running grievance—his belief that he has been unfairly overlooked by the Nobel Peace Prize committee. He pointed to a string of past diplomatic efforts, including the Abraham Accords between Israel and Arab nations, and easing tensions in hotspots like Serbia-Kosovo and Egypt-Ethiopia.
“Others get prizes for doing nothing,” he said recently in a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referring to President Obama’s 2009 Nobel win. “We actually make peace, and they ignore it.”
Trump’s frustration has gained some validation—Pakistan has formally nominated him for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his quiet diplomatic role in reducing India-Pakistan border tensions. However, India has denied U.S. involvement in their ceasefire process.
While the full terms of the DRC-Rwanda peace agreement remain under wraps, sources close to the negotiations say it involves:
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A formal ceasefire in conflict-ridden border zones
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A joint security cooperation framework
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Provisions for the disarmament of local militias
Observers note that such an agreement, if successfully implemented, could significantly improve the humanitarian and security situation in a region battered by decades of instability.
Despite this achievement, critics argue that Trump has yet to make headway on two of the world’s most urgent crises—Ukraine and Gaza—both of which have dragged on with no clear end in sight during his presidency.
Still, foreign policy analysts acknowledge that securing a peace framework between DRC and Rwanda is no small feat. “It’s a much-needed diplomatic win for Trump,” one expert told Africa Briefing, “especially as he seeks to shore up his global leadership credentials amid ongoing international conflicts.”
For the communities in Congo and Rwanda who have lived too long under the shadow of war, this moment offers a flicker of hope—one that many pray will finally bring peace to their troubled homeland.
