US explores mineral pact with the Congo to counter Rwandan threat
The United States is in discussions with the Democratic Republic of the Congo regarding an agreement on mining essential resources. This agreement could strengthen support for the government in Kinshasa, reports the "Financial Times."
The DRC, rich in copper, cobalt, and uranium resources, has approached the US with a proposal for an agreement that would offer exploration rights in exchange for support for President Felix Tshisekedi's government.
"Congolese officials hope a minerals deal will shore up support for Tshisekedi as he struggles with armed conflict in the eastern part of the country, where M23 rebels backed by neighbouring Rwanda have captured swaths of mineral rich territory and the two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu," explained the "FT."
Rebels from M23, supported by neighbouring Rwanda, have taken over mineral-rich territories and the two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu. "The DRC is endowed with a significant share of the world’s critical minerals required for advanced technologies," said a State Department spokesperson in an interview with the "FT."
Background of the conflict
The rebellion in eastern DRC is a consequence of the genocide committed against the Tutsi population by the Hutu in Rwanda in the 1990s. As a result of these events, over 800,000 people died, and two million Hutu fled to the DRC, leading to further ethnic tensions.
The authorities in Kinshasa accuse the rebels and Rwanda of attempting to take control of the resource-rich eastern part of the country. M23 leaders claim that their goal is to protect ethnic minorities from the Kinshasa government, which is accused of inciting hatred between ethnic groups.
