Officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo hope to reach an agreement with the United States by late June that would bring U.S. investment to critical minerals projects and support efforts to end a Rwanda-backed insurgency in eastern Congo, the Financial Times reported Sunday.
The possible deal, alongside a separate peace agreement with Rwanda, could see Congolese minerals like tungsten, tantalum, and tin — which Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of exploiting illegally — exported legally to Rwanda for processing, the FT said.
The newspaper, citing two people close to the talks, said both deals could be finalized by the end of next month, though significant challenges remain.
Congo’s Mines Minister Kizito Pakabomba told the FT that the proposed U.S. partnership would help reduce reliance on China for mineral extraction in Congo, home to some of the world’s largest mineral reserves.
Kinshasa has long blamed Rwandan involvement in the eastern conflict on the illicit trade of minerals, accusing Kigali of smuggling tens of millions of dollars’ worth each month.
Massad Boulos, senior adviser for Africa to U.S. President Donald Trump, said earlier this month that Washington was pushing for a peace agreement this summer alongside investment deals aimed at unlocking billions of dollars in Western funding for the region.
“Both participants have committed to work to find peaceful resolutions to the issues driving the conflict in eastern DRC, and to introduce greater transparency to natural resource supply chains. Respect for each country’s territorial integrity is at the center of the process,” a U.S. State Department spokesperson said Sunday.
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told the FT that defensive measures on the border were necessary as long as the threats and causes of insecurity in eastern Congo remain.
Reuters could not independently verify the FT report.
