U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host the presidents of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) this Thursday to finalize a peace agreement and regional economic framework, according to a White House statement reported by Reuters.
The summit follows an earlier accord signed in June by the countries’ foreign ministers, which aimed to reduce conflict in eastern Congo through measures such as Rwandan troop withdrawal and enhanced security cooperation, according to Reuters.
During the Washington meeting, leaders are expected to ratify a newly negotiated Regional Economic Integration Framework. The agreement seeks to promote trade, infrastructure development, and foreign investment across the mineral-rich Great Lakes region, Reuters reports. U.S. officials have described the framework as a strategic step toward regional stabilization.
Despite prior agreements, eastern Congo continues to experience sporadic fighting, particularly involving the M23 rebel group. Observers note that the upcoming summit will be a critical test of whether agreements on paper can translate into tangible peace and economic progress in the region, according to Reuters.
