NewzVille International
After a diplomatic mediation by the United States, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are expected to sign a peace agreement in Washington on Friday. The deal aims to de-escalate regional tensions and attract Western investment into the two countries’ mining sectors.
The agreement comes amid ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, where Rwandan troops have reportedly crossed the border in support of the M23 rebel group. Earlier this year, M23 fighters seized control of eastern Congo’s two largest cities and key mining areas, fueling instability in the region.
Rwanda has denied supplying weapons or direct support to M23 rebels, maintaining that its military actions are acts of self-defence.
At least 7,000 Rwandan soldiers are believed to be operating in eastern Congo, according to international observers. The presence of foreign troops has raised alarm among Western governments, given the region’s rich reserves of cobalt, coltan, and other critical minerals vital to global supply chains.
The U.S.-mediated peace effort seeks to stabilize the region and encourage international investors to return to Congo and Rwanda’s mining sectors under improved security conditions.
