The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda have refused to sign a major economic agreement this week. According to Reuters, the move has dealt a serious blow to President Donald Trump’s efforts to bring peace and Western investment to the conflict-hit region of eastern Congo.

Trump’s Peace Push Faces a Setback

President Trump has been working to restore peace and boost investment in mineral-rich eastern Congo. Earlier this year, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels captured two major cities, posing the greatest threat to Congo’s government in two decades.

However, despite claims that the fighting has eased, the June peace deal signed in Washington has faced repeated obstacles. Both Congo’s army and the M23 rebels have continued to strengthen their positions while accusing each other of violating the truce.

Kinshasa Halts Deal at the Last Minute

The Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF) was supposed to be signed in Washington after weeks of negotiations. Yet, Congo refused to approve it at the final moment. A Rwandan official confirmed that Kinshasa backed out unexpectedly.

Meanwhile, another source revealed that Congo would only sign once 90% of Rwandan troops have withdrawn from its territory. This withdrawal remains a key condition of the broader peace agreement.

“They’re going to have to get Trump on the phone,” one source remarked, suggesting that U.S. intervention might be needed to move the talks forward.

Rwanda Urges US to Revive the Process

Furthermore, Rwanda has confirmed that Washington is now attempting to get the process back on track. “The negotiating teams had finalized the text of the REIF agreement but disappointingly, Kinshasa decided at the last minute not to initial it,” the Rwandan official stated.

“We believe in this agreement and in the approach of the US mediation, and hope that the economic agreement will eventually be signed. The peace process must succeed,” the official added.

At the same time, Congo, Rwanda, and the U.S. State Department have not issued any official responses.

An African diplomat, however, said Congo’s refusal came as no surprise. “The agreement has been finalised but the Congolese had never made any secret of the fact that they would not sign as long as the Rwandan army remained on their territory. So for us, it is not a surprise,” the diplomat explained.

Peace Deal Remains Fragile

Earlier, on June 27, the foreign ministers of both countries signed a peace deal in Washington. Under the agreement, Rwanda promised to withdraw its forces from eastern Congo within 90 days. In return, Congo agreed to conclude military operations against the FDLR, a militia that includes fighters from Rwanda’s 1994 genocide.

Nevertheless, both sides failed to meet the September deadline. Analysts now estimate that around 7,000 Rwandan soldiers remain inside Congo, backing the M23 rebels.

Economic Framework Faces Delay

In addition, the Washington peace deal required both countries to launch an economic integration plan within 90 days. But that plan has also been delayed.

Two sources told Reuters that Trump’s senior Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, had hoped the REIF and other deals would be signed before African leaders visit Washington on October 23.

According to a draft of the agreement reviewed by Reuters, Rwanda and Congo had pledged to work with the U.S. and other partners to reform their mineral trade and make supply chains more transparent. The draft had already been discussed with private companies, multilateral banks, and other stakeholders before talks collapsed.

Uncertain Road Ahead

For now, the U.S. is trying to revive the stalled peace and economic process. However, Congo remains firm that it will not sign until Rwandan troops leave its territory. As a result, this impasse has put both economic cooperation and the fragile peace effort in jeopardy across one of Africa’s most unstable regions.