By Jamillah Kemigisa
A long-anticipated economic agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda will not be signed this week, sources confirmed Friday, marking a major setback for a U.S.-sponsored peace initiative aimed at ending conflict and fostering investment in Africa’s mineral-rich Great Lakes region.
The agreement, known as the Regional Economic Integration Framework (REIF), was expected to be the centerpiece of U.S. efforts to stabilize eastern Congo, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have made significant territorial gains this year. Despite finalizing the text, Congo refused to sign, citing the continued presence of Rwandan troops on its soil.
“The negotiating teams had finalized the text of the REIF agreement, but disappointingly, Kinshasa decided at the last minute not to initial it,” a Rwandan official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Congo’s refusal is tied to its demand that Rwanda withdraw the bulk of its military forces from Congolese territory. A source familiar with the matter confirmed that Kinshasa will not sign the REIF until at least 90% of Rwandan troops have left, in line with a peace deal signed in Washington in June.
“They’re going to have to get Trump on the phone,” the source said, underscoring the diplomatic urgency of the stalled negotiations.
The June 27 agreement, signed by the foreign ministers of both countries, committed Rwanda to lift its “defensive measures” in eastern Congo within 90 days. However, visible progress on troop withdrawal has been minimal, and tensions continue to mount.
Rwanda denies supporting the M23 insurgency, but Congolese officials and international observers maintain that Kigali backs the rebels, who earlier this year captured Goma and Butembo — the most significant threat to Kinshasa in over two decades.
The Biden administration, which has expressed strong support for the Trump-era peace and investment plan, views stability in eastern Congo as critical for securing strategic mineral supply chains. With the REIF unsigned and ceasefire terms in dispute, U.S. officials are reportedly working behind the scenes to bring both sides back to the table.
“The agreement has been finalized, 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,” said an African diplomat involved in the talks.
The REIF was designed to promote regional trade and attract billions in Western investment into Congo’s mining, infrastructure, and energy sectors. But experts warn that without firm security guarantees and visible troop disengagement, such agreements may remain on paper, with no real impact on the ground.
For now, the future of both the peace process and the economic partnership remains uncertain.
“We still believe in U.S. mediation and hope the Congolese will return to the table,” the Rwandan official said. “But trust must be rebuilt.”
