Washington — United States President Donald Trump on Thursday praised the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo for “settling a war that has been going on for decades” as the two nations signed a peace agreement in Washington aimed at ending the prolonged conflict in eastern Congo.

The televised signing ceremony offered Trump another opportunity to showcase his dealmaking credentials on the international stage, though analysts caution that the agreement may not immediately translate into peace on the ground.

“These are two men that are doing a great job,” Trump said during the ceremony.

“They want to get onto other ways of living for their people and they are great leaders.”

Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and the Democratic Republic of Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi struck a hopeful tone as they formalized the agreement, acknowledging both the significance of the moment and the challenges ahead.

“No one was asking President Trump to take up this task. Our region is far from the headlines,” Kagame said.

“But when the president saw the opportunity to contribute to peace, he immediately took it.”

Tshisekedi expressed cautious optimism about the path forward.

“I do believe this day is the beginning of a new path, a demanding path, yes,” he said.

“Indeed, quite difficult.

“But this is a path where peace will not just be a wish, an aspiration, but a turning point.”

Challenges Remain

Despite the optimistic rhetoric in Washington, the situation on the ground remains volatile. Reports of clashes between the Congolese army and the M23 rebels in South Kivu province emerged even as the signing ceremony took place.

Related: Rwanda Is Ready For War Against Congo, Says Kagame

The M23 rebel group, which did not attend the Washington meetings, is not bound by the terms of the Congo-Rwanda agreement. The group has been participating in separate, Qatar-mediated talks with Congo.

Analysts say Thursday’s deal is not expected to quickly result in peace and may not change the humanitarian crisis affecting the region.

Building on Previous Efforts

The pact, which the White House has lauded as an “historic” agreement brokered by Trump, follows months of peace efforts by the United States and its partners, including the African Union and Qatar.

The agreement finalizes an earlier deal signed in June.

The framework will also build on a Regional Economic Integration Framework previously agreed upon that officials say will define the terms of economic partnerships involving the three countries.

Economic Dimensions

In addition to the peace agreement, Trump announced that Washington was signing bilateral agreements with both the Congo and Rwanda.

These deals are designed to unlock new opportunities for the United States to access critical minerals from the region—arrangements that officials say will benefit all three nations’ economies.

The agreements reflect the strategic importance of the mineral-rich region, particularly as global demand for critical minerals used in technology and manufacturing continues to grow.