President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo met with US envoy Massad Boulos to discuss a potential mining agreement.
The DRC, rich in vital minerals like lithium and cobalt, seeks to leverage its resources amidst a deepening conflict.
The eastern region, plagued by decades of violence, has recently seen heightened aggression from the M23 rebel group, which has seized control of key cities.
Boulos, a senior advisor to President Trump, arrived in Kinshasa to explore US private sector investment and promote regional peace.
Discussions included the DRC’s mineral wealth, crucial for electric vehicle batteries and electronics.
The US envoy emphasized that “There cannot be economic prosperity without security,” and pledged US support to end the conflict.
The M23 group, backed by Rwanda, recently withdrew from Walikale, a town near the Bisie tin mine, after its capture disrupted mining operations.
Despite mediation efforts, including recent talks in Qatar, violence persists.
Analysts caution that a mining deal is complex and requires time, despite the DRC’s urgent needs.
