WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump announced a breakthrough peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, celebrating the development as a triumph for Africa and global stability—while simultaneously voicing frustration over not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize.
The two central African nations confirmed on June 18 that they had initialled a pact aimed at ending ongoing violence in eastern DRC, a region plagued by decades of armed conflict. The formal signing is expected to take place in Washington later this month. In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump hailed the deal as a “Great Day for Africa and, quite frankly, a Great Day for the World,” pointing to it as evidence of his diplomatic success.
However, his celebratory tone soon gave way to criticism of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, accusing it of consistently overlooking his peace efforts. Trump cited his involvement in negotiations between Serbia and Kosovo, India and Pakistan, as well as the Abraham Accords—which sought to normalize relations between Israel and several Arab nations.
He also claimed credit for helping “keep peace” between Egypt and Ethiopia, despite the ongoing tensions in the region over water rights. Trump, who campaigned for the 2024 presidency as a dealmaker capable of resolving global conflicts, pledged to end the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Yet both remain unresolved five months into his current term.
While Trump has received several nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize from allies and supporters, critics argue his achievements have often been overstated. Indian officials have previously rejected claims of his involvement in its ceasefire with Pakistan, and the 2020 Serbia-Kosovo agreement was criticized as vague and quickly fell apart. Likewise, his assertions about unifying the Middle East through the Abraham Accords have yet to materialize, particularly with escalating violence between Israel and Iran and no resolution in Gaza.
Trump stated that Congolese and Rwandan delegations would be in Washington on June 23 for the official signing, although the countries’ joint statement indicated the ceremony would take place on June 27. The conflict in eastern DRC—rich in minerals and long affected by regional power struggles—intensified in late 2021 with the resurgence of the M23 rebel group. The newly announced peace framework, building on earlier declarations signed in April, was the result of three days of negotiations in the U.S. capital.
Despite Trump’s vocal dissatisfaction with the lack of Nobel recognition, the new agreement marks a rare moment of optimism in a region scarred by decades of violence.