Dec. 4 (UPI) — President Donald Trump was expected to host the leaders of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday in Washington, D.C., as they sign a peace treaty to end conflict and boost economic investment.
Trump, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi were scheduled to have a trilateral meeting at the White House. Following the meeting, the three leaders were expected to attend a signing ceremony for the agreement at the newly renamed Donald J. Trump United States Institute of Peace.
The New York Times reported the event, timed a day after workers installed the new signage on the USIP building, is part of Trump’s attempt to portray himself as a global mediator and peacemaker. He has repeatedly suggested he deserves the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts.
Other leaders, such as those from Burundi and Qatar, were expected to attend the ceremony, The Washington Post reported.
Despite the agreement, fighting took place between the two countries as recently as Wednesday, the Times reported. The Congolese government has accused Rwanda of supporting a rebel faction in the DRC called M23, an allegation the government in Kigali has denied.
Representatives of M23 were not expected to be present at Thursday’s signing ceremony, though they are involved in Qatari-mediated peace talks with the DRC.
As part of the peace deal, Rwanda requested the disarmament of the FDLR militia group in eastern DRC. The group was responsible for the 1994 genocide. In exchange, the DRC demanded the removal of Rwandan troops from its land.