© M10News | International Desk|2025
US President Donald Trump has welcomed suggestions that he could be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize after the United States facilitated a landmark peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda.
The deal, signed Friday by the foreign ministers of both nations, aims to end over three decades of conflict that have claimed the lives of more than six million people and displaced millions more. The agreement is being hailed as a potential turning point in one of Africa’s longest-running and deadliest conflicts.
During a press briefing at the White House, a reporter informed Trump that DRC President Félix Tshisekedi was considering nominating him for the prestigious international award.
“President Tshisekedi is thinking of nominating you for the Nobel Peace Prize. You deserve it,” the reporter said, adding, “You have been working to bring peace in the world, not only in the Congo, and he’s very hopeful to meet you in the future.”
Trump praised the agreement as a significant achievement, stating, “It’s a big day for the world.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio also emphasised the importance of the deal, noting the historical context of the decades-long conflict.
Conflict Rooted in Post-Genocide Tensions
The fighting between Rwanda and the DRC has its roots in the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which Hutu extremists killed an estimated 800,000 members of the Tutsi minority and moderate Hutus. After the genocide, remnants of the Hutu forces fled into eastern DRC, finding refuge in the region’s vast, lawless jungles.
Over the ensuing decades, the area has been plagued by repeated waves of violence, involving various armed groups, militias, and government forces, with both Rwanda and the DRC trading accusations of cross-border aggression and support for rival factions.
The mineral-rich eastern DRC, home to vast reserves of cobalt and other critical resources used in global technology production, has added a geopolitical dimension to the conflict. The US and other nations have long been interested in securing access to these vital materials.
Deal Includes Territorial and Security Guarantees
While full details of the peace agreement have not been made public, drafts of the negotiations suggest the deal includes mutual respect for territorial boundaries, cessation of hostilities, disarmament of armed groups, and the return of refugees and displaced persons to their homes.
The agreement is also expected to pave the way for greater US access to the DRC’s critical mineral resources. Trump, speaking to reporters, confirmed that the deal involved “a lot of rights” for the US regarding mineral access.
In previous talks, the DRC had proposed exchanging mining rights for security guarantees, and sources indicate this may have been a central component of the final agreement.
Historic Step, but Challenges Remain
Although the peace deal has been widely welcomed, analysts caution that successful implementation will require significant international oversight and cooperation between the two nations. Past ceasefires and agreements have frequently collapsed under the weight of mistrust and competing economic interests.
Nonetheless, the agreement marks a rare diplomatic breakthrough in a region marred by violence, instability, and humanitarian crises.
Further details on the peace deal and US involvement are expected to emerge in the coming days.
Source: M10News
