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Officials from the Democratic Republic of Congo are hopeful that they can secure a deal with Washington next month to attract US investment in critical minerals while also putting an end to a Rwandan-backed rebellion in the eastern regions of the country.
The negotiations between Kinshasa and Washington are ambitious, aiming to grant US companies access to valuable lithium, cobalt, and coltan deposits in exchange for investments in infrastructure and mining operations. Additionally, the discussions seek to resolve the ongoing conflict that has plagued the areas bordering Rwanda for the past three decades.
Although there is optimism that an investment agreement with the US and a separate peace deal with Rwanda could be reached by the end of June, significant challenges still lie ahead. The United States is looking to re-establish its presence in the mining sector, which has been dominated by China since a lucrative mines-for-infrastructure deal was struck between Beijing and Kinshasa in 2008.
Kizito Pakabomba, the DR Congo’s mining minister, emphasized that a partnership with the US would help diversify the country’s economic alliances, reducing its reliance on China for mineral exploitation. Furthermore, a potential deal could pave the way for collaboration between the DR Congo and neighboring countries like Rwanda in the export and processing of metals.
However, tensions persist as DR Congo officials insist that any involvement of Rwanda in the country’s mineral trade must be contingent upon the withdrawal of M23 rebels and Rwandan troops from Congolese territory. Rwanda has been accused of exploiting Congolese resources, including coltan and gold, under the guise of national security concerns.
While Rwanda denies supporting the M23 rebels, the DR Congo remains adamant that territorial control must be regained before considering any agreements involving Rwandan participation in the mineral trade. The US administration, under President Donald Trump, is facilitating negotiations to address these complex issues and promote transparency in natural resource supply chains.
Massad Boulos, Trump’s Africa envoy, has been actively engaged in the negotiations, working to bridge the gaps between the conflicting parties. Boulos recently provided a draft peace agreement to both Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, signaling progress towards a resolution.
The US State Department has affirmed its commitment to finding peaceful resolutions to the conflict in eastern DRC and promoting respect for each country’s territorial integrity. As the talks continue, all parties involved are hopeful that economic collaboration and mutual benefits can be achieved for the people of the region.
Overall, the negotiations between the DR Congo, the US, and Rwanda represent a significant step towards stability, economic development, and peace in a region that has long been plagued by conflict and resource exploitation.
