Amidst ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), African leaders have adopted a more cautious tone. The region has been embroiled in intense fighting, with the M23 armed group, reportedly supported by Rwanda according to the United Nations, making significant advances against the forces of Kinshasa in recent weeks.

This recent accord follows a previous meeting over five months ago, where the foreign ministers of the involved countries and Trump announced another deal aimed at resolving the conflict. Despite these diplomatic efforts, stability remains elusive.

After the June accord, which saw M23 and the DRC government agreeing to a ceasefire under the mediation of U.S. ally Qatar, both parties have since traded accusations of breaching the terms. The persistent mutual distrust continues to hinder the path to lasting peace in the region.

Trump said the agreement will pave the way for the United States to gain access to critical minerals in both countries. The violence-torn eastern DRC in particular has reserves of many of the key ingredients in modern technologies such as electric cars.

The signing comes more than five months after the countries’ foreign ministers also met Trump and announced another deal to end the conflict.

After the June agreement, the M23 — which denies links to Rwanda — and the DRC government pledged a ceasefire following mediation by US partner Qatar, but both sides have since accused the other of violations.

Has the fighting really stopped?

An Agence France-Presse journalist at the scene heard weapon fire ring out on the outskirts of Kamanyola, an M23-controlled town in South Kivu province near the borders with Rwanda and Burundi.