President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has said that a peace agreement signed with Rwanda in June has failed to end violence in the country’s east.
Addressing the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting in New York on Monday, he thanked US President Donald Trump for efforts to mediate the deal but warned that clashes in eastern Congo were continuing.
The agreement, brokered by US officials on 27 June, was intended to halt Rwanda’s alleged backing of the M23 rebel group — claims that Kigali has repeatedly denied.
Read more: Rwanda, DRC reach landmark Peace Agreement in U.S
The Trump administration has said it wants to end fighting in eastern DR Congo, which has killed thousands this year, and attract billions of dollars in Western investment to a region rich in minerals including tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper and lithium. Part of the US-brokered deal is set to be implemented this month.
Tshisekedi stressed that it “does not mean that we will auction our mineral resources.” He added that the partnership would focus on developing the country’s mining sector, value chains, infrastructure, and particularly energy.
The DRC President also highlighted DR Congo’s strategic partnership with China and said negotiations were ongoing for a similar deal with the United States, though he did not give further details.
Congolese officials say the success of the US deal depends on Rwanda ending its alleged support for the M23 rebel group, accused by Kinshasa of committing atrocities in the east. M23 has denied attacking civilians, while Rwanda denies backing the group, saying its forces act in self-defence. Tshisekedi said Rwanda had “pretended to withdraw their troops, but actually, they are increasing their support to M23.”
Earlier this year, Qatar facilitated a meeting between Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, leading to a call for a ceasefire and direct talks between Congo and M23. The two sides, however, missed an 18 August deadline to reach a peace agreement.
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The M22 rebel group that has continued capturing more territory has demanded the release of prisoners before talks can proceed. The DRC government told Reuters that prisoners could only be freed once an agreement was signed. Tshisekedi said progress was being made on a possible prisoner exchange and that the Red Cross had been asked to approve the process.
