DETAILS: What Washington Peace Accord Really Means To Eastern DRC
The situation in Bukavu, South Kivu, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, remains severe hours after DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame signed the Washington Accords.
The Trump-brokered peace plan is intended to bring calm to the war-torn region.
The accord is expected to result in a permanent truce and disarmament of non-state forces, notably the M-23 militia, while also allowing the US to extract minerals from the mineral-rich region.
La République Démocratique du Congo et le Rwanda ont signé ce jeudi à Washington un accord de paix historique destiné à mettre fin à la guerre et à ouvrir des nouvelles perspectives de coopération régionale. Cette cérémonie s'est tenue sous l'égide du Président américain Donald… pic.twitter.com/T8YlA7qbR7
— Présidence RDC 🇨🇩 (@Presidence_RDC) December 5, 2025
A group of DRC human rights campaigners have criticized the agreement for failing to address the underlying causes of the conflict.
It has been hailed as a silver bullet to the decades-long war at the DRC-Rwanda border, which has claimed the lives of millions.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and his Democratic Republic of Congo counterpart Felix Tshisekedi signed the Washington accords, which are anticipated to put an end to the region’s gun violence.
The two leaders pledged to follow through on the agreement at a conference sponsored by US President Donald Trump in Washington, which was seen by other officials, including President William Ruto.
“The Washington agreements are not yet another document. This represents a turning point. They bring together a declaration of principles,” said Felix Tshisekedi.
“There will be ups and downs ahead. There is no doubt about it. Rwanda, I know, will not be found wanting. I can assure you of that,” said Paul Kagame.
President Kagame attends the signing of the Washington Accord for Peace and Prosperity. pic.twitter.com/c5e4v9uRy4
— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) December 5, 2025
“This conflict has lasted for thirty years. We have seen countless mediation efforts, but none succeeded in resolving the underlying issues. President Trump introduced a new and effective dynamism, that created the space for breakthroughs. His approach is even-handed, never… pic.twitter.com/aSaQRvEIEN
— Presidency | Rwanda (@UrugwiroVillage) December 4, 2025
The agreement is intended to result in a permanent truce in the region, the end of years of fighting, and the disarmament of non-state groups, notably the M-23 militia.
It also aims to bring to justice and accountability to those who committed illegal atrocities, and finally usher in a new economic framework for prosperity in the region.
“They have spent a lot of time killing each other and now they will spend a lot of time hugging, holding hands and taking advantage of the USA like other countries do,” said Donald Trump.
Delivering peace and stability to the world. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/tLZAwlHSWz
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) December 5, 2025
“We will spare no effort to ensure this agreement is fully realised, mobilising every resource to secure peace and unlock the region’s economic potential,” said President William Ruto.
The deal also includes a bilateral agreement between the DRC and the USA on the extraction of minerals in the region.
“We will be sending our biggest and greatest companies over to the two countries and we are gonna get the rare earth minerals and everybody is gonna make a lot of money,” said President Donald Trump.
However, even before the ink could dry on the deal, a section of human rights activists in the Congo have already poured cold water on the agreement.
Popular Nobel Peace Prize winner in DRC, Denis Mukwege, termed it a deal for other people.
“This is an agreement that is made, not for us. Everything that is done for you, without you, is not done for you,” said Denis Mukwege, Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
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“This peace agreement for us is not inclusive. Civil society is not involved. As a result, we consider it a peace agreement that is not sustainable either.”
This comes as tension remains high in Bukavu, a major town in South Kivu province in eastern DRC, with the latest reports of a planned disarmament of non-state forces raising jitters.
The situation comes barely two days after a fresh attack in Kaziba, Katogota and Lubarika areas near Bukavu town.
Both the Congolese army and the M-23 militia are trading accusations and counter-accusations on a plan to sabotage the peace deal.
DETAILS: What Washington Peace Accord Really Means To Eastern DRC
