Dorcas George, International Human Rights Legal Practitioner and Humanitarian, originally from Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
U.S. House of Representatives Africa Subcommittee Hearing: Advancing Peace in DRC and Rwanda in the DRC and Rwanda Through President Trump’s Washington Accords chaired by Congressman Chris Smith (February 2026)
Introduction
I attended two recent U.S. House Congressional hearings on Advancing Peace in the DRC and Rwanda through President Trump’s Washington Accords. As an international human rights legal practitioner and humanitarian originally from Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), I welcomed the seriousness with which Members of Congress and witnesses engaged in questions of peace, mineral governance, humanitarian stability, and regional security.
The Washington Accords represent a meaningful, historic diplomatic development. Renewed and sustained U.S. engagement has reinforced regional mediation, strengthened the principle of territorial integrity, and linked stability to economic integration. These are important steps forward. Durable peace, however, will require implementation that integrates governance reform, accountability, human capital investment, and meaningful community inclusion in addition to economic cooperation.
I. The Strategic Significance of the Accords
The hearings highlighted the importance of stabilizing Eastern Congo, a region central to global supply chains for cobalt, coltan, copper, and other critical minerals. U.S. engagement aims to secure rare earth and other critical minerals, reduce reliance on strategic competitors, while promoting regional economic integration.
Instability in Eastern DRC remains elusive because it is multidimensional. While international tensions play a significant role, internal governance weaknesses, armed group proliferation, institutional fragility, economic opportunism, and local grievances are also key drivers. Addressing cross-border dynamics without strengthening domestic institutions can only offer temporary, fragile stabilization rather than lasting peace.
II. Governance and Institutional Anchoring
Durable peace requires functioning institutions. Weak judicial systems, fragmented security forces with shifting allegiances, corruption, and inconsistent enforcement have allowed cycles of violence to regenerate over decades.
The Strategic Partnership between the United States and the DRC can be strengthened by anchoring it with institutional benchmarks rather than political alignment alone. Clear expectations tied to transparency, anti-corruption safeguards, rule-of-law reinforcement, and measurable governance improvements will strengthen reform incentives while protecting both Congolese citizens and U.S. strategic interests.
III. Human Capital: The Foundational Pillar
The Strategic Partnership appropriately recognizes that cooperation must move beyond mineral extraction and incorporate longer-term investments in human capital, infrastructure, and community benefit-sharing. These investments will bring an enduring stability that will help protect U.S. interests and access to strategic resources.
In conflict-affected mining regions, limited access to education, vocational training, healthcare, and economic opportunity contributes to reliance on substandard and hazardous mining practices. Investment in education systems, workforce development, women’s economic participation, healthcare infrastructure, and local enterprise growth can help address these issues and while improving long-term stability.
IV. Child Protection and Ethical Supply Chains
Addressing child labor in artisanal mining is a critical issue and requires strengthened traceability and transparency mechanisms alongside coordinated international regulatory standards to address it effectively. Regulatory enforcement alone is not enough. It must be accompanied by humanitarian and community development to ensure vulnerable children are in school rather than being forced into the workforce as free labor.
V. Justice, Accountability, and Inclusion
Peace processes are only effective when they integrate accountability mechanisms and inclusive participation. Strengthening judicial capacity, monitoring ceasefire compliance, bolstering survivor-centered support systems, and maintaining transparent oversight structures are examples of beneficial mechanisms that reinforce legitimacy and reduce relapse risk. Inclusion of women leaders, structured civil society institutions, and faith networks also can enhance implementation credibility and strengthen societal buy-in.
Conclusion
The Washington Accords represent a turning point for U.S. policy vis-à-vis the DRC, and is an important diplomatic milestone on a pathway to a brighter, more peaceful and prosperous future for the DRC, while helping the U.S. achieve its strategic resource access and supply chain goals. Long-term success, however, will depend on whether implementation integrates concepts such as institutional strengthening, human capital investment, ethical supply chain governance, accountability mechanisms, and inclusive participation.
From the perspective of Eastern Congo, peace is defined not only by ceasefires, but by functioning institutions, safe communities, legitimate governance, and children in classrooms rather than in mines. A Strategic Partnership that integrates human dignity with economic cooperation will best serve both Congolese and U.S. interests.
Author’s Note
As a Congolese-American international human rights legal practitioner with investigative and humanitarian experience in Eastern DRC, I remain committed to advancing implementation frameworks that translate diplomatic agreements into measurable progress in governance reform and human capital outcomes. Durable peace requires the expertise and diligence of those who deeply understand both local realities and international policy and diplomatic realities.
