The United States has relayed its commitment to providing significant support for the mineral deal it has negotiated with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
- The United States commits to supporting a mineral deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
- The deal involves access to DRC’s critical mineral exports in exchange for U.S. military assistance
- U.S. companies aim to tap into DRC’s reserves of cobalt, lithium, and other minerals crucial for global technologies
The decision to go ahead with the mineral deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo was made by President Trump’s newly appointed Senior Advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos.
Following his appointment, Boulos revealed that he would be making key visits to the DRC and three other African countries, including Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda.
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The meetings emphasized U.S. efforts to promote private sector investment in the region, with a strong focus on the DRC.
After meeting with Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi, Boulos discussed the ongoing conflict in the country and reiterated the U.S. commitment to supporting its resolution.
“The U.S. remains determined to support the ending of the conflict,” Boulos stated, adding that the goal is an outcome that “affirms the territorial integrity of the DRC.”
Boulos also confirmed that President Trump and President Tshisekedi had reached an agreement on the development of the mineral deal which could run into billions of US dollars.
“You have heard about the minerals agreement. We have reviewed Congo’s proposal, and I am happy to announce that the president and I have agreed on a path forward for its development,” Boulos said after the meeting in Kinshasa.
The US-Congo mineral deal
The U.S. has been negotiating with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over access to its critical mineral exports, including cobalt, gold, copper, and diamonds, which are vital for global technologies such as electric vehicle batteries and smartphones.
The proposed deal would allow U.S. companies to tap into the DRC’s vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, and other essential minerals.
In return, the U.S. would offer military assistance to help the DRC combat armed insurgencies, particularly the M23 rebel group, and enhance regional stability.
The initiative further aims to strengthen the DRC’s security forces and ensure the protection of mineral supply chains crucial for global markets.
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While the details of the deal remain undisclosed, the potential partnership between the U.S. and Congo is significant.
China’s mining companies currently dominate Congo’s mineral extraction, particularly cobalt, a critical component in mobile phones and electric vehicles.
However, Boulos suggested that U.S. companies will play a key role, promising transparency and significant investments to boost local economies.
