In a landmark move, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) inked a U.S.-mediated peace agreement on Friday, aiming to end years of deadly conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands and destabilized Central Africa. The deal, signed in Washington with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio present, could unlock billions in Western investment for the mineral-rich region. 💎
The agreement revives a stalled 2024 plan requiring Rwandan troops to withdraw from eastern DRC within 90 days. Both nations also pledged to launch a regional economic framework to boost integration—a potential game-changer for an area sitting on critical resources like cobalt, copper, and lithium (think: the stuff powering your phone 📱 and EVs 🚗).
Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe called it a "turning point," while DRC’s Therese Kayikwamba Wagner stressed the need for swift action. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who hosted officials in the Oval Office, issued a blunt warning: Violators face "very severe penalties, financial and otherwise." 💰⚖️
If successful, the "Washington Accord" could reshape one of Africa’s most volatile regions. But as Nduhungirehe noted, past deals have faltered—making global oversight crucial. Will this be the pact that sticks? The world’s watching. 👀
