At least two high‑profile peace agreements championed by U.S. President Donald Trump are under serious threat as fighting has surged in key conflict zones that were previously the focus of diplomatic breakthroughs. These developments raise questions about the durability of Trump’s peace‑making strategy and the challenges of enforcing ceasefires in deeply entrenched disputes.
In eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), renewed violence involving the Rwanda‑backed M23 rebel group has undermined a recently signed peace pact between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame. The agreement, concluded in Washington and touted as a major achievement, was intended to halt decades of fighting in South Kivu but has been compromised by fresh rebel offensives. The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes has urged all parties to uphold the terms of the deal and immediately de‑escalate, highlighting the humanitarian toll and displacement caused by the conflict.
Separately, a ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand facilitated by Trump in Malaysia has also faltered. Border clashes resumed despite the accord, triggering international concern and calls for both sides to return to de‑escalatory measures outlined in the agreement. The fragility of these two peace deals highlights the limits of diplomatic efforts that lack robust enforcement mechanisms or sufficient engagement with underlying grievances. While the U.S. continues to advocate for the cessation of hostilities and protection of civilians, the ground realities in both Africa and Southeast Asia demonstrate how complex conflicts can quickly resurface even after high‑profile agreements are signed.
