KINSHASA, March 28th (AMSP/CGTN) – – The Democratic Republic of Congo says it’s open to a deal with the United States…..which would see Kinshasa trade its precious rare-earth minerals for defense and security assistance in ending an armed conflict that has claimed thousands of lives in its volatile eastern region.
While Washington has expressed an interest in exploring critical partnerships with the DRC, it hasn’t yet committed to an official agreement.
Clashes between M23 rebels and Congolese forces have been going on in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo since late 2021. Thousands of people have been killed and more than 3 million others have been displaced from their homes.
DRC President Felix Tshisekedi recently proposed selling mineral rights to the US in exchange for military support. President Tshisekedi’s proposal seeks to secure military training, equipment and possibly direct US military involvement to support the DRC army’s fight against the M23 rebels . The rebels are reported to be backed by Rwanda, a charge Kigali has denied.
Earlier this month, the US expressed interest in the deal saying it would grant American firms access to minerals for its energy and defence technologies.
Some analysts in the DRC are optimistic that the talks will result in a win-win partnership that will not jeopardise the economic interests of Kinshasa’s other major trading partners. “I don’t foresee any clash. I just see some sort of complementarity. The US can come in places where they are needed… where the government believes they can strike a good deal – a deal that will benefit the people.. that will benefit the security of the country,” said Lino Nshimba, President of US Chamber of Commerce in DRC.
The DRC is rich in cobalt, coltan, lithium, uranium and other minerals used for advanced technologies. Many of its citizens hope a deal with the US will benefit them. “If they are going to come and exploit our minerals and share a percentage of the profits with us and help us restore peace then that is a good idea that I will support,” said George Yav, Money Changer in Kinshasa.
Officials from the DRC presidency say a Congolese delegation is expected to travel to Washington DC next month to discuss the deal further.
The mineral-for-security deal between the US and the DRC has already received criticism before it’s even formally discussed. A US Congressman who recently visited Kinshasa, Ronny Jackson told a congressional committee of his concerns about corruption in the DRC which he says could undermine the business environment.
amsp/cgtn-abp
CGTN