Description: Government officials pertaining to technical groups tasked with implementing the peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC initiated a mechanism to see through the signing of a draft peace agreement which is expected to be finalized on 27 Jun. The provisions of the agreement included the full disarmament of rebel forces operating in the DRC and supported by Rwanda, respecting the territorial integrity of the DRC and conditional integration of non – state armed groups within the military forces. The peace agreement has been the result of a multilayered peace mediation which included the US, Qatar and Angola after the decades – long conflict between the M23 rebel group and the DRC army was intensified earlier this year. Rwanda and the DRC upon signing the peace agreement are expected to receive an influx of western investments from private companies and business conglomerates in their respective mineral rich mining sectors.
Impact: Multilateral mediation efforts from several countries despite addressing the devastating and humanitarian aspects of the war between the DRC and Rwanda, also highlight the expansion of influence rare earth minerals have on global geopolitics. The US managed to assert itself as the most influential power broker in the conflict securing access to DRC and Rwanda’s mineral rich regions and countering regional influence from Chinese state actors within the mining industry in the region. China’s monopoly over the largely sought for materials prompted the US in engaging in global diplomatic efforts securing mineral mining rights in war thorn countries such as Ukraine and now DRC and Rwanda. China was recently reported to have extended their influence in the Myanmar civil war, supporting militant groups controlling mineral – rich regions in the country. With the trade war ceasefire still ongoing, both countries aim at securing global dominance over mineral rich regions crucial for high tech industries ensuring geoeconomic longevity and strategic dominance.