Trump To Host Leaders Of Congo, Rwanda To End Over 30 Years Of War

The leaders of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda will meet at the White House on Thursday to sign a peace agreement to end over 30 years of war.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced on Monday that President Donald Trump will host the two African leaders on Thursday for an official ceremony after helping broker peace between their two countries.

Leavitt’s announcement follows Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi saying last week that he intends to travel to the United States this week to sign a final agreement with Rwandan President Paul Kagame.

Congo’s east has been ravaged by fighting for over 30 years since the Rwandan genocide in 1994. The Congolese military and United Nations forces have battled with dozens of factions and paramilitary groups, one of the most prominent being the M23.

50% off DailyWire+ annual memberships will not return for another year, so don’t miss this deal! Join now at DailyWire.com/cyberweek.

M23 takes its name from a 2009 peace agreement that the group says was not honored. UN experts say that M23 is backed by Rwanda, though Rwanda has denied involvement. Last year, one UN report said that thousands of Rwandan troops fought alongside the M23 against the Congo’s military.

Last week, Congo and Rwanda’s leaders expressed optimism in the Trump-brokered peace agreement. Kagame did caveat his optimism, however.

“Some of these processes will not work not just because we are meeting in Washington or powerful United States is involved, but until those people concerned directly are committed to achieve end results,” said Kagame.

The Congolese and Rwandan governments have struck a number of peace agreements since 1994, but each one has fallen apart. Congolese spokeswoman Tina Salama said a new peace agreement must involve “no mixing or integration of M23 fighters.”

In a previous peace agreement, M23 was incorporated into the Congolese military, but broke away after accusing the Congolese government of violating the terms of the deal.

“We are seeking peace within the framework of regional integration,” said Salama. “What is non-negotiable for us is the territorial integrity of the DRC.”

In June, Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with the foreign ministers of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to sign one phase of the peace agreement. “This is an important moment after 30 years of war. President Trump is a president of peace. He really does want peace. He prioritizes it above all else,” Rubio said at the time.