Trump claims victory in ending Congo war while fighting continues

In June 2021, U.S. President Donald Trump announced that he had brokered a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, claiming that he ended the long-standing conflict in eastern Congo. His assertion described a situation where, over the previous decades, violence had resulted in the deaths of approximately nine million people. However, local reports contradict Trump's claims, indicating that skirmishes and violence continue in various regions, particularly involving the M23 rebel group. Many residents are experiencing ongoing insecurity, with humanitarian aid severely lacking. Activists and local leaders express their concerns over the inadequacy of current peace efforts, asserting that fighting and violations of the peace agreement are still taking place, revealing the limitations of the U.S. influence over the conflict. Furthermore, the peace deal facilitated by the Trump administration has not led to a final agreement between the conflicting parties, as they reportedly missed critical deadlines in the peace process. Observers note that the true complexities of the conflict, which encapsulate a mix of historical grievances and regional dynamics, require far more substantial interventions, rather than what many perceive to be posturing by the Trump administration.