Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo urge Trump to ensure peace deal is honored

The foreign ministers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda on Friday urged President Donald Trump to remain committed to ensuring a new peace deal between the two countries is honored. 

The diplomats signed the peace deal during a ceremony in Washington, D.C., earlier Friday, which was facilitated by the United States and Qatar. The deal aims to end a decades-long war between the two countries. 

Congo Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner told Trump the countries "needed" the United States to be a neutral third-party that holds both sides accountable for the deal, which was echoed by Rwandan Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe. 

“So for this economic integration framework to be implemented, it’s important for the U.S. to accompany the parties to implement what we have signed, because in the past, [the parties] have signed so many agreements that were not implemented, and we are ready,” Nduhungirehe said during a ceremony at the White House, per The Hill. 

Trump promised to apply “a lot of pressure” if either side violated their end of the deal, which would be met with severe "penalties." 

“I would just say that there are big penalties if they violate, and they’re not going to. I don’t think they will violate, but we have very severe penalties, financial and otherwise,” Trump said. 

The comments come as Trump prepares to host the leaders of both countries at the White House next month. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.