Cambodia – The Trump peace deals that US President Donald Trump has repeatedly promoted appear to be unraveling, with multiple conflicts reigniting across regions where agreements were recently brokered. Following Thailand’s airstrikes along its disputed border with Cambodia, another Trump-backed peace agreement faces potential collapse as the Democratic Republic of Congo accuses Rwanda of violating the recently signed truce.
Congo Accuses Rwanda of Breaking Commitments
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi delivered a sharp accusation on Monday, claiming that Rwanda had violated its commitments under the US-brokered peace deal designed to resolve the years-long conflict between the two nations. The Trump peace deals suffered a significant blow when Tshisekedi stated, “Despite our good faith and the recently ratified agreement, it is clear that Rwanda is already violating its commitments.”
This accusation came just days after President Trump gathered leaders from both countries in Washington to sign the peace treaty, raising serious questions about the durability and effectiveness of the Trump peace deals in maintaining regional stability.
M23 Rebels Advance Despite Peace Agreement
The Rwanda-backed M23 armed group reportedly made a rapid advance threatening the city of Uvira, located near the border with Burundi. The escalation represents a direct challenge to the Trump peace deals, which were intended to bring lasting peace to the conflict-torn region.
In addition to the military advance, the town of Sange was bombed with grenades on Monday, resulting in the deaths of 36 people. These violent incidents occurred despite the recently signed peace agreement, casting doubt on the viability of the Trump peace deals in preventing further bloodshed.
Attacks on Day of Peace Treaty Signing
President Tshisekedi made the explosive claim that units of the Rwandan Defence Force carried out attacks on the very day the peace treaty was signed in Washington. This allegation, if verified, would represent a catastrophic failure of the Trump peace deals and suggest that Rwanda had no genuine intention of honoring the agreement from the outset.
The timing of these alleged attacks raises fundamental questions about the negotiation process and whether the Trump peace deals were built on a foundation of genuine commitment to peace or merely diplomatic theater.
Burundi Condemns Rwandan Provocation
The crisis surrounding the Trump peace deals expanded further when Burundi condemned “the recent provocation by Rwanda, which dropped bombs on Burundian territory” near Cibitoke, a town bordering both Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The bombing wounded two people, including a 12-year-old child.
Burundi shares borders with Rwanda to the north and Congo to the west, making it vulnerable to spillover violence from the conflict. Both Burundi and Congo have long alleged that the M23 rebels receive backing from Rwanda, though Rwandan authorities have consistently denied these claims.
Three Decades of Regional Conflict
The region has been plagued by three decades of conflict, and the signing of the peace treaty between Congo’s Tshisekedi and Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame in Washington had raised hopes that peace could finally prevail. However, the rapid deterioration of the Trump peace deals demonstrates the complexity of resolving deeply entrenched regional conflicts.
The current crisis illustrates that signing ceremonies and diplomatic announcements, while symbolically important, cannot guarantee lasting peace without genuine commitment from all parties and robust enforcement mechanisms.
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Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes Resume
The Trump peace deals face similar challenges along the Thailand-Cambodia border, where one soldier was reportedly killed and many injured as Thailand carried out airstrikes across its border with Cambodia on Monday. This violence erupted months after both countries agreed to maintain a ceasefire following the deadliest border clashes in decades back in August.
The resumption of hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia represents another setback for the Trump peace deals, suggesting a pattern of fragile agreements that lack the necessary foundations for sustainable peace.
Trump’s Claims About Settling Wars
Donald Trump has long claimed to have settled eight wars, attributing his success “largely because of trade and tariffs.” The President has used these assertions about the Trump peace deals to gather support for a Nobel Peace Prize nomination, portraying himself as a transformative peacemaker on the global stage.
While his candidacy for the prestigious award did receive significant support, President Trump did not win the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. The award instead went to Venezuelan democracy activist Maria Corina Machado, who was recognized for her work promoting democratic values.
Questions About Peace Deal Sustainability
The deteriorating situation in both the Congo-Rwanda conflict and the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute raises fundamental questions about the Trump peace deals and their long-term viability. Critics argue that the agreements may have prioritized quick diplomatic victories over the difficult work of addressing underlying causes of conflict.
The rapid violations of the Trump peace deals suggest that more comprehensive approaches, including sustained international monitoring, economic incentives for peace, and mechanisms for accountability, may be necessary to transform fragile ceasefires into lasting peace.
International Community Response Needed
As the Trump peace deals continue to face challenges, the international community must consider how to support meaningful conflict resolution in these regions. The current crisis demonstrates that presidential involvement and high-profile signing ceremonies, while important, cannot substitute for sustained diplomatic engagement and comprehensive peace-building efforts.
The fate of the Trump peace deals will serve as an important test of US diplomatic influence and the effectiveness of using economic leverage to achieve foreign policy objectives in complex, multi-decade conflicts.
