Faith Nyasuguta
The United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are steadily moving forward with a significant deal focused on the extraction of vital minerals from the resource-rich country.
A senior US official, Massad Boulos, confirmed the talks during a meeting with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa. The deal is seen as an important step toward expanding US involvement in the DRC’s mining sector, which is rich in minerals essential for global technology and electric vehicle production, like lithium and cobalt.
Boulos, who serves as a senior adviser to President Donald Trump on African affairs, noted that both sides had reviewed the proposal from the DRC and were in agreement on a path forward. “You’ve heard about the minerals agreement. We’ve reviewed the Congo’s proposal, and I’m happy to announce that the president and I have agreed on a path forward for its development,” he said following his talks with Tshisekedi.
The DRC, despite its vast natural resources, has faced instability in recent years, particularly in its eastern provinces, where armed groups, including the M23 rebel faction backed by Rwanda, continue to destabilize the region. Tshisekedi sees the US partnership as key to stabilizing the area and reducing the influence of rival countries, particularly China, which has a large presence in DRC’s mining industry.
The US has increasingly focused on the DRC’s minerals due to their growing importance in global markets, particularly for the production of electric vehicles and battery technologies. Currently, Chinese firms control much of the mineral extraction in the country, but the US is looking to provide an alternative and establish a stronger economic and security partnership.
Joseph Bangakya, a Congolese lawmaker and president of the DRC-US parliamentary friendship group, echoed this sentiment, stating that a trade agreement with the US was crucial for the country’s stability and economic growth. “There can be no economic prosperity without security,” he stressed.
The US’s involvement in this deal would likely go beyond mining, addressing security concerns, including the fight against insurgents in the DRC’s eastern regions. Boulos highlighted that US companies would operate transparently, emphasizing their potential to stimulate the local economy while improving the security situation.
This growing partnership between the US and the DRC is seen by some as a positive step toward economic growth and enhanced security. However, critics argue that it could lead to the exploitation of the country’s resources, with some viewing it as a form of selling out the DRC’s sovereignty.
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