Meeks Slams Trump’s Congo Deal as Show Without Substance

WASHINGTON, Dec 8, 2025 — In a strongly-worded statement following the much-publicized Washington Peace Accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, U.S. Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, expressed serious concerns over the sincerity and durability of the agreement, and accused former President Donald Trump of using Congo's tragedy for political optics.

“DRC and Rwanda recommitting to the Washington Accords can be an encouraging step toward ending decades of conflict in eastern Congo,” Meeks said. “However, the ceremony hosted by former President Trump risks being more show than substance.”

A Peace Deal Already Undermined?

Just 24 hours after the signing ceremony, clashes resumed in South Kivu, as Congolese forces (FARDC) reported fresh attacks launched by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, killing civilians and destroying vital infrastructure.

“Recent diplomatic promises have not resulted in tangible improvements for the Congolese people,” Meeks stated. “Militia violence continues, displacing civilians who had hoped to rebuild their lives and undermining implementation of the peace process.”

Meeks warned that the pageantry in Washington cannot obscure the reality on the ground, a conflict still raging in the Kivu provinces, despite high-profile diplomatic gestures.

Direct Criticism of Trump’s Role

The veteran Democratic lawmaker delivered a sharp rebuke of Trump’s handling of the ceremony:

“President Trump cannot simply declare this peace deal a success for the sake of stroking his own ego,” Meeks said. “Nor should he treat Congo’s suffering as a backdrop for exploiting critical minerals while millions of Congolese remain impoverished, as he did today.”

Accountability Must Follow Words

Meeks urged the current U.S. administration and the international community to ensure both parties comply with the Washington Accord’s terms and that Congolese citizens benefit from their own mineral wealth.

“The path to lasting peace must be grounded in real accountability, justice, and economic benefit for the Congolese people,” he stressed. “That is the only path to durable peace and an end to this decades-long conflict.”

Renewed Fighting Exposes Fragile Deal

Meeks’ statement coincided with a disturbing update from FARDC, which accused Rwandan forces and M23 of firing artillery shells from Bugarama inside Rwanda into Congolese territory in Uvira and Kamanyola, just 48 hours after the peace signing.

According to General-Major Ekenge Bomusa Efomi, the shelling killed Congolese civilians and destroyed homes, schools, and health centers. FARDC denounced the attack as a war crime and a violation of the Washington Accord.

What Next?

With the peace accord hanging by a thread, Rep. Meeks argues

Diplomacy must be backed by enforcement. “Paper promises are meaningless unless they protect lives on the ground.