Trump's Peace Deal Hopes in Jeopardy as Fighting Erupts in Congo and Thailand

Two of President Donald Trump's high-profile peace deals are facing a major setback, with renewed violence reported in eastern Congo and along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Less than a week after the Congo-Rwanda deal was signed in Washington, fighting has surged in eastern Congo, with the Rwandan-backed M23 militia group blamed for the deadly violence. The International Contact Group for the Great Lakes has expressed 'profound concern' over the situation, urging the combatants to immediately halt their operations and adhere to the agreements signed last week. Similarly, the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire pact, which was witnessed by Trump in Malaysia last month, is on the brink of collapse. Fighting broke out along the contested border, leaving dozens dead and forcing the evacuation of over 100,000 civilians. The US has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for both sides to return to the de-escalatory measures outlined in the October 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords. The developments have raised concerns about the fate of Trump's 'president of peace' reputation, which has been built on his efforts to broker peace deals in several conflict zones. While Trump has touted seven or eight agreements as proof of his success in ending conflicts, other deals, such as the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, remain unfinalized or in limbo. The US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has urged the combatants to uphold their commitments and de-escalate the situation. A senior Trump administration official has also expressed confidence that Thailand and Cambodia will honor their commitments and bring an end to the violence. The renewed violence in Congo and Thailand has sparked international alarm, with several countries and organizations calling for an immediate end to the fighting. As the situation continues to unfold, the future of Trump's peace deals hangs in the balance.