Why DR Congo Is More Than a Conflict Zone

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is often described only in terms of war and humanitarian crises. Yet the country is also the site of major peace initiatives, economic reforms, and cultural revival under President Félix Tshisekedi. Even as M23 rebel group fighters backed by Rwanda continue to commit atrocities, the UN recorded more than 319 civilians killed in July 2025, and local officials described bombs fired “indiscriminately” by M23 during the capture of Nyanzale. The Congolese government and its partners are laying the groundwork for lasting peace and development.

Documented war crimes and external interference

Recent reports from credible organisations show the scale of the violence. The UN Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) told Reuters that M23 combatants killed 319 farmers in Rutshuru territory in July 2025, using guns and machetes. In March 2024, the rebels seized the town of Nyanzale, killing at least 15 civilians; deputy governor Isaac Kibira said that victims were hit by bombs fired “indiscriminately.”

The UN Security Council condemned the attacks, expressed “deep concern” over the M23 offensive, and called for all foreign support to the group to stop.

Kinshasa has also accused the Rwanda Defence Force of supplying M23 and even disrupting civil air traffic by sending false GPS signals, calling the acts a threat to humanitarian missions. Rwanda denies backing the rebels, but international pressure is increasing against Kagame’s human rights abuses and cross‑border interference.

Government response: military, diplomatic, and economic strategies

President Tshisekedi’s government has responded on several fronts. Militarily, Congolese forces have intensified operations in North Kivu and deployed drones and aircraft to push M23 back. Diplomatically, Kinshasa endorsed the Luanda and Nairobi peace processes and welcomed mediation by Angola’s President João Lourenço. The UN Security Council praised his role and urged “all parties to intensify diplomatic dialogue towards de‑escalation.”

In July 2025, the government and the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 signed a Declaration of Principles in Doha. UN Secretary‑General António Guterres called the agreement an “important step … toward lasting peace, security and the return of displaced persons and refugees”, while MONUSCO’s acting head Bruno Lemarquis said it “marks a shift toward easing tensions and protecting civilians.”. The declaration commits both sides to a ceasefire and sets up a joint mechanism to monitor compliance.

US‑brokered peace agreement and Western investment

Another major diplomatic breakthrough came on 27 June 2025 when the DRC and Rwanda signed a U.S.‑brokered peace agreement in Washington. The deal, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, aims to end the fighting and unlock billions of dollars in Western investment. Trump hailed the accord as a “glorious triumph for the cause of peace,” and told reporters he had “somebody that was able to get it settled.”

The agreement pledges mutual respect for territorial integrity and requires Rwandan troops to withdraw from eastern Congo within 90 days. It also calls for a ceasefire, the demobilisation and conditional integration of non‑state armed groups, humanitarian access, and the return of displaced people.

Under the deal, the parties will establish a joint security coordination mechanism monitored by the United States, Qatar, and the African Union and launch a regional economic integration framework within 90 days. Economically, the accord goes beyond peacekeeping. It commits both countries to de‑risk mineral supply chains and create value chains linking Congolese cobalt and copper to U.S. investors. American officials have made clear that failure to honour the ceasefire would deter investment, whereas successful implementation could attract billions of dollars of Western capital.

President Tshisekedi has welcomed the initiative and is seeking partnerships with U.S. and Western mining companies to reduce dependence on Chinese firms. If the agreement holds, it could pave the way for large‑scale infrastructure, energy, and conservation projects and complement domestic reforms already underway.

Economic achievements and infrastructure projects

Beyond the battlefield, the Tshisekedi administration has pursued reforms to turn DR Congo’s mineral wealth into development. In January 2024, the government renegotiated the long‑criticised “minerals for infrastructure” deal with Chinese partners Sinohydro and China Railway Group. The revised agreement requires the companies to invest up to US$7 billion in roads, hospitals, and other projects and to pay a 1.2 % royalty to the Congolese state. Jules Alingete, head of the state auditor IGF, hailed the outcome as “a win‑win deal” after demanding that infrastructure commitments be increased. Such investments could rebuild highways linking remote provinces and improve access to healthcare.

Kinshasa is also looking westward. In December 2024, President Tshisekedi met U.S. President Joe Biden in Angola’s port of Lobito to advance the Lobito Atlantic Railway. The United States has provided a $550 million loan to refurbish the line through Angola and extend it into Congo’s mining heartland. The project is designed to transport copper and cobalt to global markets and reduce reliance on Chinese‑controlled routes. Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema called the corridor “a huge opportunity for investment, for trade,” and Tshisekedi agreed that investment and peace must go hand‑in‑hand. Such infrastructure could generate thousands of jobs and integrate Congo into regional supply chains.

Cultural initiatives and resilience

Despite the conflict, the DRC’s rich culture is thriving. In 2023-2024, UNESCO implemented a US$250,000 project to strengthen capacity for safeguarding intangible cultural heritage in Central Africa. The programme, financed by the Saudi Arabia Funds‑in‑Trust, helps countries, including the DRC, develop inventories and policies to protect music, dance, and oral traditions. It complements the National Museum of the DRC, opened in Kinshasa in 2019, which continues to host exhibitions of Congolese art and history. These initiatives remind the world that Congo’s identity is defined not only by war but by creativity and resilience.

Hope beyond the headlines

The DRC remains a complex and volatile environment. Fighting has displaced more than 7.2 million people, and M23’s war crimes continue. Yet the country is far more than a conflict zone. President Tshisekedi’s government, supported by regional leaders and the international community, is pursuing peace deals, infrastructure reforms, and cultural preservation.

For more stories that highlight DR Congo’s progress and potential, explore the DR Congo Rising hub