Newscenter Media News 
The presidents of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda are expected to sign a peace agreement in Washington at a summit convened by U.S. President Donald Trump, even as intense fighting continues on the ground between Congolese forces and the M23 rebel group.
The high-profile meeting will see DR Congo’s President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame endorse a deal first initiated in June, when their foreign ministers signed a preliminary accord that Trump celebrated as a “glorious triumph.” Leaders from Burundi, Qatar, and several other nations are also expected to attend.
The fresh signing ceremony comes amid heightened tensions. In the hours leading up to the summit, DR Congo’s military accused M23 fighters of attempting to derail the peace process. The rebel group countered by claiming Congolese forces launched new attacks in violation of an existing truce.
The renewed hostilities reflect the fragile security situation in eastern DR Congo, where M23 offensives earlier this year resulted in thousands of casualties and the displacement of large populations.
The group seized major territories in North and South Kivu provinces, reigniting long-standing animosity between Kinshasa and Kigali. Both leaders have publicly traded accusations over responsibility for the crisis.
Although Tshisekedi and Kagame will be present in Washington, M23 representatives will not participate.
They are involved in separate negotiations led by Qatar, which, alongside the U.S., has been central to pushing both sides toward a broader settlement aimed at restoring stability and unlocking foreign investment in the mineral-rich region.
Rwanda has repeatedly denied accusations that it sponsors the M23, despite UN experts stating that its military maintains “de facto control” of the rebel group’s operations.
M23 previously captured key cities, including Goma and Bukavu, deepening regional instability.
Fresh clashes were reported on Tuesday, with DR Congo army spokesman Gen. Sylvain Ekenge alleging that M23 fighters mounted new attacks on villages in South Kivu, roughly 75 kilometres from Uvira, a key administrative centre.
M23 officials claimed instead that Congolese troops, supported by Burundian forces, carried out air and ground strikes. Burundi, which has deployed thousands of soldiers to assist Kinshasa, has yet to comment.
Security analysts caution that the peace deal may have limited immediate impact. Bram Verelst of the Institute for Security Studies told the reporters that the M23 rebellion continues to entrench itself, noting that “there is currently no ceasefire in place” and that the signing ceremony alone is unlikely to shift realities on the ground.
The conflict is further complicated by the presence of the FDLR militia, a group that includes remnants of those involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
Rwanda insists the FDLR must be disarmed, while DR Congo demands that all Rwandan troops withdraw from its territory before any meaningful peace can take hold. The agreement to be signed in Washington reflects both conditions.
Previous deals have collapsed over the same sticking points. In Qatar-mediated talks, DR Congo also insisted that M23 surrender the territories it occupies, a demand the group has resisted.
Qatar and the United States are jointly steering mediation efforts. Qatar maintains close ties with Rwanda, while Washington is seen as more aligned with Kinshasa.
The U.S. also has a strong economic interest in the region: the State Department estimated in 2023 that DR Congo holds mineral reserves valued at over $25 trillion, including cobalt, lithium, copper, and other critical resources used in electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, defence systems, and consumer electronics.
Speaking earlier this year, Trump openly linked the peace effort to U.S. economic benefits, saying, “We’re getting, for the United States, a lot of the mineral rights from the Congo as part of it.”
Experts say Washington is pushing for a broader economic pact involving hydropower, mining, and infrastructure cooperation between Rwanda and DR Congo.
However, according to political scientist Prof. Jason Stearns, Kinshasa has signalled that it will not advance such a deal until all Rwandan troops pull out of eastern DR Congo.
The peace summit is expected to proceed despite the continuing violence, but whether it will lead to lasting calm in the region remains deeply uncertain.
Trump to host summit as DR Congo, Rwanda leaders prepare to sign peace deal