The foreign minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) told Breitbart News that her government is “very enthusiastic” about President Donald Trump being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, saying he “fully deserves” the recognition for his role in advancing peace in central Africa.
Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner spoke with Breitbart at the Congolese ambassador’s residence in Washington, D.C., following a series of peace agreements facilitated by the Trump administration. Earlier this year, Wagner was with Congolese and Rwandan leaders in the Oval Office for the signing of a first‑step peace deal, and again in early December for the next phase of what has become known as the Washington Accords. The accords brought Rwanda and the DRC together in historic negotiations aimed at ending a conflict that has persisted for roughly three decades.
Wagner said that her encounter with Trump was unexpectedly meaningful. She originally thought the signing would take place at the State Department, and only later learned she would meet the president. What struck her most, she said, was Trump’s genuine commitment to resolving the long‑running conflict. She noted the presence of Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the summer signing as evidence that Trump was “putting his best people” behind the effort.
Wagner said the DRC views Trump’s involvement as historic. President Felix Tshisekedi has nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that bringing real momentum to end a 30‑year war — with tens of millions of lives affected — is a globally significant accomplishment.
However, Wagner also described setbacks following the December signing. Rebel group M23 launched attacks in eastern DRC’s South Kivu province, capturing the city of Uvira and displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians. She said that shells even landed in neighboring Burundi, raising concerns of wider regional instability. Wagner said these developments underscore the need for stronger enforcement of the peace agreements.
Wagner welcomed statements from U.S. officials, including the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and senior State Department figures, calling on Rwanda to honor the terms of the accords. She said these firm messages reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the peace process at a critical juncture.
Wagner also called for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DRC territory, something Rwanda has denied despite evidence cited by Congolese, U.N., and U.S. sources. She said enforcing this withdrawal is essential to restoring trust and advancing peace.
Beyond diplomacy, Wagner talked about the economic prospects for the region if peace takes hold. She highlighted DRC’s vast natural resources — such as coltan, cobalt, lithium, copper, gold, and wolframite — and said a stable environment could allow for investment that creates jobs and value‑added industries rather than merely exporting raw materials.
Wagner pushed back against media narratives that question the sincerity of the peace initiative, arguing that economic opportunity and peacebuilding are deeply connected. She said Americans and Congolese alike should see economic cooperation as part of a long‑term strategy to transform the region.
In closing, Wagner reiterated her gratitude for U.S. engagement, saying Trump’s personal attention to the conflict — emphasizing the human toll and the desire for safety and opportunity — has made a difference. She said that amid geopolitical complexity, the human dimension of peace should remain at the center of the process.
