Trump's envoy targets DRC minerals amid rising tensions

• The United States wants to acquire minerals from the DRC – Negotiations are being led by Massad Boulos, the US President's advisor on Africa.
• Meeting with the President of the DRC – Boulos met with Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa to discuss potential investments.
• Situation in the DRC – The country is grappling with M23 rebels, impacting the region's stability.

The United States has expressed interest in reaching an agreement that would grant access to natural resources from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), currently experiencing armed conflict. This announcement was made by Massad Boulos, a senior advisor to US President Donald Trump on Africa, who began his first official visit to the continent on Thursday.

After meeting with the DRC president, Félix Tshisekedi, in Kinshasa, Boulos did not provide details of a potential agreement but indicated that it may entail investments worth billions.

"I look forward to working with President Félix Tshisekedi and his team to build a deeper relationship that benefits the Congolese and American people, and to stimulate American private sector investment in the DRC, particularly in the mining sector, with the shared goal of contributing to the prosperity of both our countries," said Boulos in a statement released after the meeting by the DRC government.

Referring briefly to security issues, Boulos noted: "We want a lasting peace that affirms the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC."

President Tshisekedi also expressed optimism, stating to Fox News that he hopes the United States can use diplomatic pressure or sanctions to curtail the actions of armed rebel groups.

Massad Boulos, a Lebanese-American businessman and newly appointed advisor to President Trump, previously held executive roles in several companies operating in Nigeria. He is personally connected to the American leader, being the father-in-law of Trump's daughter, Tiffany.

From Kinshasa, Boulos will travel to Rwanda on Friday, followed by visits to Kenya and Uganda.

Meanwhile, the eastern part of the DRC continues to experience conflict. The Congolese army is battling rebels from the M23 group, which, according to the Congolese authorities, receives support from Rwanda. This region is home to rich deposits of gold, tin, and cobalt – resources that make the DRC the world's largest producer. In recent months, M23 has gained control over the capitals of two provinces near Lake Kivu and has moved closer to more inland areas.