Foreign Media: "Uncertainty Remains Over True Conflict Resolution"
Mineral Cooperation Agreements Also Signed with Rwanda and the DRC
With the mediation of President Donald Trump, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda signed a peace agreement on December 4 (local time), ending more than 30 years of armed conflict.
On this day, President Trump held a closed-door meeting with Felix Tshisekedi, President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Paul Kagame, President of Rwanda, at the White House in Washington, DC. Afterward, a signing ceremony for the peace agreement between the two countries was held at the Donald Trump Institute of Peace. The day before, the U.S. Department of State renamed the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) as the Donald Trump Institute of Peace.
Regarding the signing of the peace agreement, President Trump emphasized his achievements, stating, "We are accomplishing what so many others have failed to do," and, "This is the eighth war we have ended in less than a year." President Trump has positioned himself as a 'peacemaker' by resolving international armed conflicts in pursuit of the Nobel Peace Prize.
President Trump announced that he named this agreement the "Washington Accords," and explained that it includes provisions for a permanent ceasefire, disarmament of non-state armed groups, repatriation of refugees, and holding those responsible for illegal and brutal acts accountable. The agreement also contains measures to strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
However, foreign media outlets pointed out that it remains uncertain whether this agreement can truly resolve the conflict between the DRC and Rwanda. The New York Times noted that even on the eve of the signing ceremony, clashes occurred in Uvira, a major city in the DRC, and near the Rwandan border. Bloomberg cited Jason Stearns, founder of the Congo Research Group at New York University, who stated that the long-standing conflict is still far from being resolved by this peace agreement.
President Trump also signed separate bilateral agreements with the DRC and Rwanda for cooperation on key minerals. Under these agreements, minerals including copper and cobalt, which are used in the production of batteries for mobile phones and electric vehicles, will be made available to U.S. companies. The United States is accelerating its efforts to secure mineral resources in order to counter China.
President Trump stated, "We will be involved in sending some of America's biggest and best companies to those two countries, and we will mine and bring back some resources such as rare earth elements," adding, "We will pay for them, and everyone will make a lot of money." He continued, "These two agreements are among several mineral supply agreements our administration has signed this year," mentioning that similar agreements have been concluded with South Korea, Japan, Australia, and Malaysia.
Meanwhile, there is speculation that President Trump may receive the newly established 'FIFA Peace Prize' at the 2026 FIFA World Cup North and Central America group draw event, which will be held in Washington, DC, on December 5. If President Trump receives the FIFA Peace Prize, the signing of the peace agreement on this day is expected to be seen as an event highlighting the justification for the award.
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