Trump says US to access DRC, Rwanda 'rare earth minerals' as two nations sign peace deal

The United States will access rare earth minerals in both the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday when Presidents Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) and Paul Kagame (Rwanda) signed what Washington termed a "permanent ceasefire" agreement in Washington DC.

President Trump, who hosted the two African leaders, said that the agreement will be called The Washington Accord.

According to Trump, DRC and Rwanda have committed to a "permanent ceasefire", as well as the disarmament of all "non-state forces."

M23 rebel group, which DRC accuses Rwanda of backing, is one of the tens of armed groups operating in the troubled eastern DRC. Rwanda has repeatedly denied links to M23 rebel group.

Lightning offensive

In early 2025, M23 rebel group seized large swathes of territory in eastern DRC in a lightning offensive, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people, according to DRC government's figures.

In his address in Washington DC on Thursday, Trump said that besides the disarmament of "non-state forces", DRC and Rwanda also agreed to embark on a programme in which refugees from either nations will return home.

Trump further said that persons who have committed atrocities in eastern DRC will face justice, as part of implementation of The Washington Accord.

For his part, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda said the signing of the peace agreement marks a new era of peace and stability in eastern DRC, which borders Rwanda to the west.

Trump optimistic that truce will hold

DRC's President Felix Tshisekedi, on the other hand, said his government was committed to implementing The Washington Accord "with complete sincerity" though Kinshasa will remain "watchful" as the new peace era begins.

President Trump had earlier expressed optimism that the newly found truce will prevail, saying he had noticed Presidents Kagame and Tshisekedi approve of each other "a lot."

As part of its middleman role in the peace process, Trump said the US had signed agreements with both DRC and Rwanda to access critical, rare-earth minerals, which are central in battery production.

According to the US president, the "biggest American companies" will be sent to both countries to take part in the mining processes.

Devastating conflict 

The conflict in eastern DRC has lasted more than 30 years, with President Trump stating that at least 10 million people have lost their lives in the region during that period.

However, the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) says that the death toll is lower, at six million.

The deadly conflict has particularly been catalysed by unending disputes over mineral resources.

Eastern DRC, which has more than 100 armed groups according to the UN, is rich in copper, cobalt, tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold, among other important minerals.