In Washington, the signing ceremony between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame was staged as a diplomatic breakthrough, marking the first time in a year that the two leaders have even shared a room. Yet beneath the pomp and circumstance is the reality on the ground: the M23 is not taking part in the signing ceremony, and the conflict in eastern DRC continues, shaped by entrenched militias, cross-border mistrust and an economy of war linked to the region’s mineral wealth. For in-depth analysis and a deeper perspective, Nadia Massih welcomes Dr. Alex Vines, Africa Program Director at the European Council on Foreign Relations, cuts through the optics to highlight the complex web of actors and incentives that still challenge the prospects for genuine peace. “This needs to be more than just an elite bargain,” warns Dr. Vines, “It needs depth if it is to be lasting.”