The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have postponed the signing of a long-anticipated economic framework agreement, officials confirmed on Friday. The delay poses a setback to U.S. President Donald Trump’s diplomatic efforts to advance peace and attract Western investment to the mineral-rich region.
The development follows renewed tensions between the two neighbours, as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels earlier this year seized two key cities in eastern Congo, posing one of the most serious threats to Kinshasa’s authority in decades. Trump’s initiative seeks to stabilize the area, which holds vast reserves of tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium.
Despite declarations that the conflict has ended, both the Congolese army and M23 rebels continue to reinforce their positions, accusing each other of violating ceasefire agreements. The Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), expected to be signed after final negotiations in Washington this week, was delayed when Congo reportedly refused to sign.
According to a Rwandan official, Kinshasa demanded that 90 percent of Rwandan troops withdraw from eastern Congo before proceeding with the agreement. “They’re going to have to get Trump on the phone,” one source remarked, underscoring Washington’s role as mediator.
U.S. officials are now working to revive the stalled talks, though no signing was expected on Friday. “The peace process must succeed, and we hope the economic agreement will eventually be signed,” the Rwandan official added.
Diplomats noted that Congo’s insistence on troop withdrawal made the delay foreseeable. In June, the foreign ministers of both nations signed a Washington-brokered peace deal, which included a pledge for Rwandan troop withdrawal by 2024. The latest setback underscores the fragility of ongoing U.S.-led efforts to stabilize Central Africa’s volatile eastern region.
Source:Africa Publicity
