Over 400 civilians killed in eastern DR Congo as US peace deal falters
Al Jazeera1 day
Over 400 Civilians Killed in Fighting in Eastern DR Congo
Does the surge in killings reveal failures in Trump’s peace deal, or the determination of regional spoilers to sabotage any path toward stability?
Above: M23 rebels guard a unit of surrendering Congolese police officers in Bukavu, on Feb. 22, 2025. Image credit: Hugh Kinsella Cunningham/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
The well-intended Trump-backed peace framework is being eroded by militias and foreign interference that feed on eastern Congo’s entrenched instability. The recent killings highlight the need for stronger regional coordination, credible monitoring and real pressure on all armed actors. U.S. engagement remains crucial to restrain spoilers, ease cross-border tensions and prevent a wider regional conflagration. Trump can help facilitate peace, he cannot dictate it.
Anti-Trump narrative
Trump’s so-called peace deal collapsed because it ignored the political interests shaping eastern Congo’s war. By shielding strategic partners and prioritizing optics, it allowed militias to grow stronger and violence to spread. The U.S. aimed to preserve a manageable status quo rather than confront the forces sustaining the conflict, making renewed massacres inevitable once the deal unraveled.