Rwanda and Congo Forge Path to Peace and Economic Integration

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo have reached an outline agreement on a framework for regional economic integration, as announced by the U.S. State Department. This move is part of delivering on a peace deal signed in Washington last June, aimed at enhancing cooperation in energy, infrastructure, and mineral supply chains.

The peace deal, initially brokered in June under the Trump administration, strives to halt conflicts that have caused numerous casualties and attract significant Western investment into a resource-rich region. The deal compelled Rwanda and Congo to initiate a regional economic integration framework within 90 days.

A preliminary draft of the framework is ready, with inputs sought from the private sector and civil society. The finalized framework awaits a signing at a future White House meeting. The two nations assert control over their natural resources' exploitation and aim to foster a world-class industrial mining sector without funding armed groups.

(With inputs from agencies.)