• Congo and Rwanda have submitted a draft peace proposal to end ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.
• The proposal aims to facilitate Western investment in the region's rich mineral resources.
• Escalating violence, particularly from Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, has led to significant humanitarian crises.
• U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversees discussions aiming for a finalized peace agreement by mid-June.

Congo and Rwanda have formally submitted a draft peace proposal aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, a move announced by Massad Boulos, U.S. President Donald Trump's senior adviser for Africa and the Middle East. He described the draft as "an important step" towards achieving peace and stability in the region rich in vital minerals such as cobalt, gold, and copper, according to Reuters, Le Monde, and Africanews.

The backdrop to this peace effort includes escalating violence, notably the seizure of strategic cities like Goma and Bukavu by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. The situation has resulted in approximately 7,000 deaths and displaced over 7 million people, creating one of the world's largest humanitarian crises. This turmoil has led to a significant call for peace talks, further emphasized by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi expressing hope for U.S. engagement in stabilizing the region, according to Le Monde and Africanews.

The proposal also serves to unlock substantial investment from Western nations in Congo's mining sector, particularly as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been overseeing discussions to bring about a comprehensive peace agreement. It is anticipated that a final accord between the two nations may be signed as early as mid-June at the White House, in the presence of President Trump, according to Reuters and Africanews.