Written by: Hussein Ahmed

In sharp criticism of the US-sponsored agreement between the Republic Congo Democracy and Rwanda: Congolese doctor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Denis Mukwege believes the agreement focuses more on plundering his country's mineral wealth than on achieving security and stability in eastern Congo, which has been torn apart by conflicts for decades.

Accusations that the US agreement prioritizes economic interests.

The eastern regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo are witnessing ongoing conflicts between multiple armed groups vying for control of mineral-rich lands, including the Rwandan-backed M23 movement, which last year managed to seize large swathes of the region.

Last December, the United States, at the direct urging of President Donald Trump, sponsored a peace agreement between Congo and Rwanda aimed at ending the years-long conflict. The agreement included an economic component intended to secure access for American companies to Congo's vast reserves of strategic minerals.

But Mukwege stressed, during an interview with AFP in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, that the agreement had failed to stop the fighting in the east of the country, considering that it began as an agreement based on mutual interests, but today it seems closer to predation. .

He added: “It is clear that the shipments of minerals have already started to leave, but in return we are not getting the security we need,” referring to the continued armed unrest despite the agreement.

Mukwege is known worldwide for his medical and humanitarian efforts in treating women survivors of sexual violence in eastern Congo, a role for which he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2018.

In a related context, Mukwege also criticized the political orientations of Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, considering his attempt to amend the constitution to run for a third term unacceptable. .

He said that any potential constitutional referendum could exclude some 12 million people living in eastern regions that are partially outside government control, warning that this could lead to the Balkanization and de facto partition of the country.

Mukwege also pointed out that Africa needs to open up to the world economically, but stressed that international agreements must be fair and serve the public interest, not just the interests of the ruling elites, warning that continuing this approach would take Africa back to the eras of slavery and colonialism. .