Keypoints:
- Congo eyes US minerals deal and Rwanda peace
- Talks target June deadline for dual agreement
- Aim to reduce China dependence and end M23 conflict
THE Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is racing to secure a landmark agreement with the United States that would bring American investment into its critical minerals sector and help end the ongoing conflict with Rwanda-backed rebels in the country’s east.
According to a report in the Financial Times on Sunday, negotiations are underway for a dual-track deal that could be finalised by the end of June. The agreement would aim to inject US capital into Congo’s rich but contested supply of critical minerals such as tungsten, tantalum and tin, while also brokering a peace settlement with Rwanda.
Sources close to the talks told the newspaper that the deal is being shepherded by Washington and could legitimise exports of Congolese minerals to Rwanda for processing — a sharp departure from Kinshasa’s long-standing accusations that Kigali is smuggling minerals across the border.
Washington aims to stabilise and invest
The initiative is being led by US President Donald Trump’s senior Africa adviser, Massad Boulos, who has stated that Washington is pushing for a deal that delivers both security and transparency in a region destabilised by insurgency and illegal mineral trade.
‘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,’ a US State Department spokesperson told Reuters on Sunday.
The official stressed that respect for territorial sovereignty is central to the process.
DRC Mines Minister Kizito Pakabomba said an agreement with the US would help Congo pivot away from overreliance on China, which currently dominates the country’s mineral exploitation deals.
‘An agreement with the US would help diversify our partnerships,’ Pakabomba told the Financial Times.
Conflict and smuggling at the centre
Kinshasa has accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group, whose resurgence in eastern Congo since January has led to mass displacement and worsening insecurity. Officials allege that Rwanda profits from the illicit trade of minerals worth tens of millions of dollars per month.
While Kigali denies arming the rebels, it maintains a strong military presence along the border. Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo defended Rwanda’s actions in comments to the Financial Times, stating: ‘Our defensive measures remain necessary as long as threats and insecurity persist in the DRC.’
The idea of formalising mineral exports to Rwanda under a peace deal reflects the shifting geopolitical dynamics as the US positions itself as a strategic counterweight to Chinese influence in the region.
High stakes for June deadline
The proposed agreement comes amid broader US efforts to reassert its influence in Africa through trade and diplomacy. If successful, the pact could channel billions in Western investment into Congolese mining while stabilising a volatile region.
Still, the obstacles are considerable. Deep mistrust between Kinshasa and Kigali, ongoing rebel violence, and competition over mineral profits could derail the process.
Yet for Congo, the stakes are high. A US-backed deal could help the government regain control over its mineral wealth, attract credible investors, and potentially bring an end to one of the continent’s most persistent conflicts.
