The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is aiming to finalize a major minerals agreement with the United States by the end of June, according to senior Congolese officials.
- The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is negotiating a minerals agreement with the United States aimed at finalizing by the end of June.
- This deal seeks to attract U.S. investments in critical minerals and garner support to address a Rwandan-backed rebellion in DRC’s eastern region.
- The agreement could facilitate regional cooperation in exports and processing of critical metals, impacting DRC-Rwanda relations.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is aiming to finalize a major minerals agreement with the United States by the end of June, according to senior Congolese officials.
The deal is expected to attract U.S. investment in critical minerals and secure American backing to help end a Rwandan-backed rebellion in the country’s east, according to a Financial Times report.
This development has been described as part of Washington’s broader effort to regain a foothold in Congo’s mining sector, which has long been dominated by China.
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China’s deep grip on Congo’s mining sector
Congo holds vast reserves of cobalt, copper, coltan, and other strategic minerals essential to green technologies and global supply chains, making it a focal point of global interest.
In less than two decades, China has entrenched itself at every level of the mining industry in Congo’s copper belt, from roadside artisanal dealers to major players like Shanghai-based CMOC.
In 2008, Beijing signed a multibillion-dollar minerals-for-infrastructure deal with Kinshasa, cementing its influence over the country’s resource wealth.
Congo’s mining minister, Kizito Pakabomba, told the Financial Times that a U.S. partnership would “diversify our partnerships” and reduce reliance on China for tapping into the country’s vast mineral wealth.
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The agreement could also pave the way for collaboration between the DR Congo and neighbouring countries, including Rwanda, in the export and processing of critical metals.
Rwanda has long faced accusations of exploiting security tensions along its border to facilitate the illicit extraction of Congolese resources such as coltan, a key mineral used in mobile phones, and gold.
However, President Paul Kagame’s government has consistently denied backing the M23 rebel group, insisting that Rwandan forces are acting in self-defence against hostile threats.
People familiar with the negotiations said Rwanda views the talks as a chance to legitimise its access to Congolese resources and draw U.S. investment to boost its own metals processing sector.
However, Kinshasa insists that any such prospects must be preceded by the restoration of control over key territories it has lost, including the strategic cities of Goma and Bukavu.
