#peace-deal

#peace-deal

When Qatar helped secure a peace deal to end ongoing conflict between the M23 rebel group and Democratic Republic of the Congo's (DRC) government last month, there was hope among many Congolese that a permanent ceasefire would soon emerge to end the fighting that has uprooted close to a million people in the country's troubled east, and give war-racked communities some respite as the new year rolls in.

Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández was convicted last year in a New York courtroom of flooding the US with tons of cocaine. This week, US President Donald Trump has pardoned him and he's walked out of prison a free man. Also, taking lessons from Shenzhen, China, a megacity that has largely sidestepped the air pollution, overcrowding and failing infrastructure that often accompany rapid expansion.

The meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine was very interesting, and cordial, but I told him, as I likewise strongly suggested to President Putin, that it is time to stop the killing, and make a DEAL! Enough blood has been shed, with property lines being defined by War and Guts. They should stop where they are. Let both claim Victory, let History decide!

President Donald Trump on Monday jokingly suggested that Secretary of State Marco Rubio shorted him on praise for the president's Gaza peace deal. That morning, Hamas released the remaining living hostages back to Israel. Following Israel and Hamas' agreement to a deal the week before, the return of the hostages was a significant step toward permanently ending the brutal, bloody war in the Gaza Strip.

The peace deal between Azerbaijan and Armenia, brokered by the United States, is a significant development after nearly four decades of conflict and creates new business opportunities.

"Congo is one of the most mineral-rich countries in the world. One hopes that eventually this [peace deal] will be implemented and with luck and also concerted diplomatic efforts, that Congo may reach its potential."

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are expected to sign a United States-mediated peace deal on Friday following several months of conflict that has killed thousands of people and displaced millions in resource-rich eastern DRC.