Congo and US discuss minerals and security deal

Discussions are underway between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Trump administration about a potential deal involving minerals and security, according to the DRC's foreign minister. These talks are still in their early stages and focus on providing the U.S. with exclusive access to critical minerals in exchange for security assistance. The DRC is dealing with a rebellion reportedly supported by Rwanda in its mineral-rich eastern region. Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner mentioned that the DRC's proposal was inspired by a similar offer the U.S. made to Ukraine. She emphasized the need for both parties to invest time and effort to develop an agreement that benefits everyone involved. Congo is rich in resources, being the world’s second-largest producer of copper and a major source of cobalt. It also has deposits of lithium, tantalum, tin, and gold. U.S. company KoBold Metals, which has backing from billionaires like Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has shown interest in Congo’s lithium resources. President Felix Tshisekedi is using Congo's resources to attract support from the U.S. administration, which seeks to secure access to minerals critical for green energy. Currently, the industry in Congo is dominated by Chinese companies, raising concerns about the local business environment. The advance of the M23 rebel group into eastern Congo has made some miners uneasy. Recently, Alphamin Resources, a Canadian tin mining company, evacuated its mines due to the escalating conflict. Other companies in the Katanga region have also reduced staff as a precaution. Kayikwamba acknowledged the legitimate concerns of investors about the risks involved. She noted that the DRC government recognizes these challenges and is working to improve the business climate. The U.S. and EU have imposed sanctions on Rwanda for its involvement in the conflict, although Rwanda denies any association with the rebels.