(Ecofin Agency) - The Democratic Republic of Congo is actively engaged on multiple fronts in response to ongoing rebel attacks in the eastern region. Despite recent discussions about a potential minerals deal with the United States in exchange for military support, Kinshasa has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.

Two weeks after initial press reports, details about a potential minerals agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States remain scarce. Both sides are officially silent so far but their representatives are actively negotiating behind the scenes. The Financial Times reported on March 8 that discussions have recently gained momentum.

The DRC is rich in critical minerals essential for advanced technologies, prompting the United States to express interest in potential partnerships aligned with the Trump administration's "America First" agenda, according to a State Department spokesperson. However, several hurdles remain for any agreement, which was initially proposed by the Africa-US Business Council. This New York-based lobbying group is acting on behalf of Congolese Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi, who chairs the Senate's Defence, Security, and Border Protection Committee and is affiliated with President Félix Tshisekedi's party.

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Africa-US Business Council proposed granting the United States exclusive access to the Democratic Republic of Congo's vast mining resources, valued at over $24 trillion. The DRC, as the world's largest supplier of cobalt and a major supplier of copper, tin, and coltan, holds strategic importance for U.S. defense and high-tech industries. 

This development follows an interview with President Félix Tshisekedi in February, where he hinted at U.S. interest in Congolese minerals. His spokeswoman, Tina Salama, later emphasized on social media that President Tshisekedi was inviting U.S. companies to source strategic materials directly from the DRC, rather than through Rwanda, which has been accused of plundering these resources.

In the name of safety

In exchange for security support, the Democratic Republic of Congo is offering the United States exclusive mining and export rights, along with operational control of the deep-water port of Banana. In return, the U.S. would train and equip the Congolese military to secure mining routes from armed groups and potentially increase its military presence. A meeting between Presidents Félix Tshisekedi and Donald Trump is proposed to finalize the agreement and secure Congressional backing.

This initiative aligns with President Tshisekedi's goal to diversify partnerships and reduce China's dominance in the Congolese mining sector. It comes at a critical time, as the DRC faces security threats from rebel groups like the M23, which are allegedly backed by Rwanda. These groups have seized control of key towns and strategic sites, including a coltan mine that accounts for 15-20% of global production.

Unanswered questions

The potential agreement between the United States and the Democratic Republic of Congo raises more questions than answers. It remains unclear whether the deal would directly involve the U.S. government or provide opportunities for U.S. companies to acquire mining projects in the DRC. Given that about 80% of Congolese mines are controlled by Chinese companies, it's uncertain which projects would be included. 

Additionally, U.S. companies have shown little interest in the DRC's mining sector in recent years, particularly since Freeport-McMoRan sold its stake in the Tenke Fungurume copper mine to China's CMOC in 2016. It's also unclear which American investors might be interested in such a project.

On the security side, while the U.S. has condemned Rwanda's support for rebels and imposed sanctions, it has not yet offered official military aid to Kinshasa. 

Emiliano Tossou