Could the DR Congo Rwanda Agreement Reshape Africa's Development Map?

See - Sada Elbalad

5 days ago

By: Dr. Mohamed Mahmoud Abdelwahab
In pursuit of lasting regional stability, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the M23 movement have signed a Declaration of Principles committing to a permanent ceasefire, an end to hate speech, and the renunciation of any efforts to seize new territory by force. The agreement was brokered by Qatar, with the presence of US envoy Masad Boulos, and marks an important addition to the American-brokered peace deal signed in June between the DRC and Rwanda. That deal had focused on disengagement, disarmament, and the conditional integration of armed groups.
The two peace agreements are expected to pave the way for further diplomatic steps, including a meeting at the White House, where President Biden plans to host the presidents of the DRC and Rwanda. The United States sees these efforts as a gateway to securing its economic and strategic interests—especially in energy and mining—in this vital part of the African continent.
The main driver of international interest in the Great Lakes region lies in its enormous natural wealth, particularly in the DRC, which holds 70 percent of global cobalt reserves, 67 percent of the world's coltan production (used in nuclear and electronic industries), ranks fourth in industrial diamond production, and has large deposits of lithium and high-grade copper. The DRC and Zambia together produce around 3 million tons of copper and cobalt annually.
These mediation efforts in eastern Congo reflect a growing American role in African conflict resolution, with hopes of redirecting energy and resources toward meaningful development. The DRC has been in conflict since 1998, resulting in the deaths of nearly 6 million people, the displacement of 7 million, and the presence of more than 100 armed groups competing for control in the mineral-rich east.
As people in the region hope for peace and the elimination of ethnic violence and armed militias, another element attracting global attention is the Lobito Corridor—a multi-country infrastructure project. Backed by the United States, it involves a major railway linking the DRC, Zambia, and Angola, allowing copper and cobalt to be exported through the Port of Lobito. In December 2024, the US pledged an additional $560 million, bringing total support to $4 billion for the project.
At the same time, Russia has signed an agreement with Congo-Brazzaville to construct a pipeline from Pointe-Noire to Brazzaville, signaling Moscow's interest in expanding its energy footprint. In June 2025, Angola hosted the 17th US–Africa Summit, which focused heavily on minerals, energy, and infrastructure—key sectors shaping global competition on the continent.
Global and emerging powers increasingly view Africa as a center of future economic growth. There is a noticeable shift toward economic diplomacy, with governments negotiating investment deals and trade partnerships across Africa. The recent DRC agreements with Rwanda and M23 are seen as breakthroughs after a period of sharp tensions, including Rwanda's June 7 withdrawal from the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS). That move came after Equatorial Guinea's presidency of the group was extended, bypassing Rwanda, due to opposition from the DRC and Burundi.
ECCAS member states cover 20.4 percent of Africa's landmass, and their combined oil reserves are estimated at 31.3 billion barrels, nearly 28 percent of the continent's total. In a related development, Angola recently announced the discovery of its first-ever natural gas well in the Congo Basin, holding an estimated 1 trillion cubic feet of gas—a major turning point in Central Africa's energy future.
In February 2024, the DRC began exporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the first time, with proven reserves estimated at 283 billion cubic meters, drawing more international focus to energy security and development in Central Africa.
This increasing attention is also fueled by the ongoing US–China competition. In 2024, China opened the China–Africa Chamber of Commerce in Addis Ababa and pledged $51 billion in financial support to African countries. Beijing has also removed tariffs on goods from the continent's least developed nations. Chinese investment in Africa has now surpassed $40 billion.
The United States, meanwhile, is shifting from an aid-driven model to one focused on trade and investment. A recent meeting hosted by former President Donald Trump at the White House with the leaders of five African nations is seen as part of a larger effort to increase US influence, especially in strategic minerals and energy areas central to the rivalry with China and Russia.
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