 "File photo of Donald Trump. Source: AP")
US President Donald Trump on Friday (June 20) claimed he brokered a peace treaty between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. Making the announcement on his Truth Social app, Trump said it was a “Great Day for Africa” and “a Great Day for the World.”
Trump, in his post, acknowledged that the deal was reached with the assistance of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and will be signed in Washington on Monday (June 23).
“This war, known for violent bloodshed and death, more so even than most other wars, has gone on for decades,” Trump wrote. The US president said that the prolonged conflict in Africa’s Great Lakes region has caused “millions” of deaths.
In his post, Trump also reiterated his alleged role in helping India and Pakistan reach a truce following a four-day military in May and complained still he “won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize”.
Trump wrote in his post: “I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for this, I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between India and Pakistan, I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping the War between Serbia and Kosovo, I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for keeping Peace between Egypt and Ethiopia (A massive Ethiopian built dam, stupidly financed by the United States of America, substantially reduces the water flowing into The Nile River), and I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for doing the Abraham Accords in the Middle East which, if all goes well, will be loaded to the brim with additional Countries signing on, and will unify the Middle East for the first time in “The Ages!”
Trump’s desperation
Since assuming office, Trump has sought to bolster his image as a peacemaker, even as major conflicts around the world have largely escalated during his presidency.
Trump has already failed to deliver on his promise to end the war in Ukraine “within 24 hours” of his presidency. As Russia now looks to mount a fresh summer offensive, Trump has realised there are not many cards left up his sleeves.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSimilarly, Trump has failed to end the crisis in West Asia. Instead, the conflict has escalated now as Israel has begun pounding military and nuclear sites in Iran, reportedly after securing Trump’s nod.
Trump often claims he helped broker a peace deal between India and Pakistan; however, New Delhi firmly rejects this claim.
During a recent phone call with Trump, Indian PM Narendra Modi is believed to have told him that the US played no role in mediating the truce.
“Prime Minister Modi clearly conveyed to President Trump that at no point during this entire sequence of events [during Operation Sindoor] was there any discussion, at any level, on an India-US trade deal, or any proposal for a mediation by the US between India and Pakistan,” said Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri earlier this week.
Rwanda-Congo conflict
The decades-long conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, fuelled by ethnic tensions, cross-border rebel activities, and competition over mineral resources, has resisted resolution despite numerous regional and UN-led efforts.
Friday’s announcement marks a significant development, but experts remain cautious, stressing the need for clear details and effective implementation to achieve lasting peace.