Congo’s Tshisekedi says Trump deserves Nobel prize if Rwanda conflict ends

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi said former U.S. President Donald Trump would be deserving of a Nobel Peace Prize if he succeeds in ending more than 30 years of conflict between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The U.S. brokered a peace accord on June 27 aimed at halting Rwanda’s alleged backing of the M23 rebel group, which has destabilised eastern Congo.

While implementation has been slow, Tshisekedi said he remains optimistic that progress will be made in the coming weeks, according to Bloomberg.

Trump has repeatedly pointed to his role in pushing for peace between Rwanda and Congo as grounds for Nobel recognition.

“This conflict has been going on for 30 years, and four American presidents have gone through it without succeeding in bringing peace. If today, President Trump puts an end to this, I will be the first to vote for him for the Nobel Prize,” Tshisekedi said.

Earlier this year, Tshisekedi asked Washington to help repel the insurgency through a “minerals-for-security” partnership modelled on a U.S. deal with Ukraine.

Despite his support for U.S. mediation, it “does not mean that we will auction our mineral resources,” Tshisekedi told reporters in New York.

The Trump administration has signalled that such a partnership could help secure critical inputs for technology, defence, and energy, while reducing reliance on China in global supply chains.

Separate negotiations between Congo and the M23, mediated by Qatar, were delayed after Israeli strikes on Hamas leaders in Doha earlier this month, Tshisekedi said. He added that talks are expected to resume soon.

Beyond security, U.S.-Congo discussions are also centred on economic cooperation.

Tshisekedi said Congo is offering American investors stakes in mining ventures as well as renewable energy projects, including the massive Inga hydropower site, which has the potential to become the world’s largest.

Once a U.S. deal is secured, Tshisekedi said he expects to pursue similar arrangements with the European Union.