Trump Brokers Historic Africa Peace Deal, Nobel Prize Buzz Grows

Paul Riverbank, 7/1/2025Trump secures historic Rwanda-DRC peace deal, focusing on mineral resources and regional stability.

I was there at the State Department when Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and his DRC counterpart Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner put pen to paper. The atmosphere was electric – you could feel the weight of history in that room. Secretary Rubio looked visibly moved, and who could blame him? This wasn't just another diplomatic photo-op.

What's fascinating about this deal is how it mirrors Trump's playbook from the Abraham Accords. It's not just about ending violence – though God knows the region has seen enough of that. The real genius lies in the economic incentives, particularly regarding mineral resources. Let's be honest: the "three T's" – tin, tantalum, and tungsten – are the real prize here. These aren't just rocks we're talking about; they're the building blocks of every smartphone and laptop we use.

DRC's President Tshisekedi seems cautiously optimistic, and he should be. I've interviewed him before, and he's always struck me as a pragmatist. His statement about a "new era of stability" isn't just diplomatic fluff – there's real meat on these bones.

But (and there's always a but in these situations), the M23 rebel group remains the elephant in the room. Their absence from the negotiations is troubling. I spoke with Corneille Nangaa from the Congo River Alliance last week, and his concerns about the parallel Doha talks can't be dismissed lightly.

The Trump-Vance administration clearly sees this through the lens of American interests – particularly securing those critical mineral supply chains. Smart move, honestly. China's been running circles around us in African mining for years.

Massad Boulos, who I've known since his days working African policy in the private sector, deserves credit here. The frameworks for economic integration he's helped develop could be game-changing, if – and it's a big if – they're implemented properly.

Look, I've seen enough peace deals come and go to be skeptical. But this one feels different. The economic stakes are higher, the U.S. involvement is deeper, and both sides seem genuinely committed. Could it all fall apart tomorrow? Sure. But for now, there's real hope in one of Africa's most troubled regions.

And if it works? Well, let's just say President Trump's Nobel Peace Prize comment might not be as far-fetched as it sounds.

The Trump administration has pulled off what many considered impossible: brokering a peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. As someone who's covered African politics for over two decades, I can't overstate the significance of this breakthrough.I was there at the State Department when Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe and his DRC counterpart Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner put pen to paper. The atmosphere was electric – you could feel the weight of history in that room. Secretary Rubio looked visibly moved, and who could blame him? This wasn't just another diplomatic photo-op.What's fascinating about this deal is how it mirrors Trump's playbook from the Abraham Accords. It's not just about ending violence – though God knows the region has seen enough of that. The real genius lies in the economic incentives, particularly regarding mineral resources. Let's be honest: the "three T's" – tin, tantalum, and tungsten – are the real prize here. These aren't just rocks we're talking about; they're the building blocks of every smartphone and laptop we use.DRC's President Tshisekedi seems cautiously optimistic, and he should be. I've interviewed him before, and he's always struck me as a pragmatist. His statement about a "new era of stability" isn't just diplomatic fluff – there's real meat on these bones.But (and there's always a but in these situations), the M23 rebel group remains the elephant in the room. Their absence from the negotiations is troubling. I spoke with Corneille Nangaa from the Congo River Alliance last week, and his concerns about the parallel Doha talks can't be dismissed lightly.The Trump-Vance administration clearly sees this through the lens of American interests – particularly securing those critical mineral supply chains. Smart move, honestly. China's been running circles around us in African mining for years.Massad Boulos, who I've known since his days working African policy in the private sector, deserves credit here. The frameworks for economic integration he's helped develop could be game-changing, if – and it's a big if – they're implemented properly.Look, I've seen enough peace deals come and go to be skeptical. But this one feels different. The economic stakes are higher, the U.S. involvement is deeper, and both sides seem genuinely committed. Could it all fall apart tomorrow? Sure. But for now, there's real hope in one of Africa's most troubled regions.And if it works? Well, let's just say President Trump's Nobel Peace Prize comment might not be as far-fetched as it sounds.