KINSHASA, DR Congo (BN24) — A ceasefire agreement signed between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda aimed at de-escalating tensions in the country’s conflict-ridden east is facing serious obstacles, as dozens of armed groups continue operating in the region and questions remain over foreign interests in its vast mineral wealth.
The deal, announced amid growing international pressure to end the violence, includes commitments from both countries to disarm and withdraw support from their alleged proxy forces. Yet just hours before the agreement was formalized, the Codeco militia launched an attack on a camp for displaced persons in Ituri province, killing at least 10 people, underscoring the fragile security situation and the limited control both governments have over non-state actors.
More than a hundred militias operate in eastern Congo, many motivated by territorial control and access to lucrative resources such as coltan and cobalt minerals vital for global technologies, including smartphones and electric vehicles. The ceasefire, while welcomed by international observers, fails to outline clear strategies for demobilizing these groups or offering viable economic alternatives that might deter their continued fighting.
A central aim of the agreement is to create conditions for the safe return of hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the years-long conflict. But without a full halt to hostilities and broad buy-in from armed factions, humanitarian agencies warn that return efforts may remain stalled.
The role of foreign powers, particularly the United States, adds further complexity. While Washington has expressed strong support for the ceasefire, it remains unclear what, if any, preferential access the U.S. may receive to Congo’s mineral resources. Former President Donald Trump, a vocal proponent of American involvement in the peace process, has previously indicated that securing U.S. interests in Congolese minerals is a key objective.
This possibility has sparked unease among Congolese citizens, many of whom feel the nation’s wealth has long benefited outsiders while their own living conditions remain dire.
At the heart of the DR Congo-Rwanda standoff lies the presence of the Hutu-led FDLR, a rebel group Kigali accuses Kinshasa of supporting. Rwanda maintains that its military presence in eastern Congo, repeatedly denied but widely reported, is a response to this threat. The United States has signaled that it expects Rwanda to pull back its forces once the FDLR is dismantled. Such a move would mark a significant diplomatic victory for both Washington and the Congolese government.
However, Rwanda has consistently rejected accusations of deploying troops in eastern Congo, despite mounting evidence of its backing for the M23 rebel group, one of the most prominent armed factions in the region.
As the ceasefire takes tentative steps forward, analysts warn that its success will depend not just on government agreements but on broader regional cooperation, credible efforts to demobilize militias, and equitable management of Congo’s immense natural resources.
