President Donald Trump has announced a surprise Rwanda–Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) peace agreement during a high-profile ceremony in Washington. The deal aims to ease years of brutal conflict in the eastern DRC and restore stability along the Rwanda–Congo border.

Intense clashes erupted in the eastern DRC only hours after a peace accord was signed between President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.

The militias are also accused of targeting Uvira’s Banyamulenge population – Congolese Tutsis in South Kivu who are often perceived as supporting the Tutsi-commanded M23 – in acts of harassment and intimidation.

Doha has pledged a record investment and a new M23 framework deal for one of Africa’s most intractable wars. But behind the red carpet, analysts warn of a high-risk geopolitical gamble.