The United States is actively brokering a peace accord between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. This diplomatic push aims to quell the escalating violence in the mineral-rich eastern Congo region. Accompanying this peace initiative are proposed billion-dollar mineral deals for both nations.
Massad Boulos, a senior advisor to the U.S. President, revealed these plans in an exclusive interview. He stated that the signing of the peace agreement would coincide with the mineral deals. These agreements anticipate significant Western investment in the region’s mining and infrastructure sectors.
The backdrop to this diplomatic endeavor is the unprecedented advance of M23 rebels in Congo. These rebels allegedly receive backing from Rwanda, a claim vehemently denied by Kigali. The U.S. has explicitly demanded that Rwanda withdraw its troops and cease supporting the M23.
Both Congo and Rwanda are expected to submit their respective drafts of the peace agreement this Friday. This follows a preliminary agreement established in Washington just last week. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is slated to meet with both nations’ foreign ministers in mid-May.
The focus of the bilateral economic agreements involves substantial U.S. and Western company investments. These investments target Congolese mines and infrastructure, extending to mineral processing within Rwanda. The scale of the DRC agreement is anticipated to be larger due to its extensive resources.
Washington has made it clear that certain security prerequisites must be met before the White House signing. Rwanda is expected to remove its forces from Congo and end its support for the M23. Simultaneously, Congo needs to address Rwanda’s concerns regarding militias like the FDLR.
