The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is conducting “daily exchanges” with the US government with the aim of securing mineral contracts for security, Congolese officials told media.
The move comes amid intensifying violence in the East African country. The Rebel M23 Armed Group seized territory in areas rich in gold and kortan, important minerals used in the manufacture of electronic gadgets.
At least 7,000 people have been killed since January, according to the DRC government. Thousands more were evacuated.
Although there are no details about the official proposal for a contract with the US, DRC lawmakers appear to want the US to deploy their troops to help contain the conflict in exchange for mineral rights. However, analysts say that it is unclear whether such an alliance will coincide with President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, and that Washington is likely to take a less practical approach under any deal.
“The most likely scenario for such an agreement is providing military equipment to the US DRC, as opposed to direct military support,” Daniel Van Dalen, senior analyst at Signal Risk, a senior analyst at South Africa-based security intelligence company, told Al Jazeera.
This is what we know so far about the DRC proposal.
Why does DRC trade minerals with the US?
Observers say the DRC was inspired by Washington’s proposal to support Ukraine in the war with Russia in exchange for the mineral trade.
The proposal involves Kiev handing over 50% of the country’s mineral revenues in order to enjoy “long-term financial commitment to the development of stable and economically prosperous Ukraine” from the United States.
According to Reuters, Andre Wemeso, deputy director of DRC staff, President Felix Zisekedi, went to Washington earlier this month to discuss similar potential “partnerships” with US officials. DRC officials have not made any specific details about what such a transaction entails.
Like Ukraine, the DRC needs security partners to win the war with M23s and more than 100 other armed groups that manage lucrative mines around the country. Resource-rich countries are the leading producers of Tin, Tungsten, Tantalum and Gold. Collectively known as 3TG, these minerals are used in the production of electronics, defense equipment, electric vehicles and other technologies. DRC’s undeveloped natural resources are estimated to be worth around $24 trillion.
What was proposed by Congolese lawmakers?
On February 21, the African Business Council, an international advocacy group for African business interests, wrote to the US Secretary of State, inviting the United States to invest in the DRC’s undeveloped resources. The group said it is acting on behalf of Congolese Sen. Pierre Kanda Karanbai, who chairs the Senate Committee on DRC’s defense, security and border protection.
The group suggested that access to such investments could be made in exchange for “long-term economic and security partnerships that benefit both countries.”
In that proposal, the African Business Council proposed:
Access to DRC mines for US defense and technology companies, and access to ports for export. Controlling the joint mineral reserves of Congolese minerals shared by both countries. In exchange, the US will provide training and equipment for the Congolese army and provide direct access to the DRC’s US military.
US officials had shown last week that they were ready to consider such a proposal, but they did not respond directly.
“The United States is open to discussing the sector’s partnership that is consistent with the Trump administration’s first agenda,” a US State Department spokesman told Reuters, saying that the Congo “holds a significant portion of the world’s important minerals needed for advanced technology.”
The spokesperson added that the US hopes to increase private sector investment in DRC “in a responsible and transparent way.”
What is the armed conflict in the DRC?
The long-term conflict has been raging in the DRC for over 30 years. Analysts say the country’s military is weak as a result of government corruption. The country endured two civil wars between 1996 and 2002, killing thousands, similar to the current rebellion of the M23. Millions of people are evacuated.
Defeating the M23 armed groups is President Felix Tsushisekedi’s top priority. Currently, there are several peacekeeping forces within the country, including the United Nations Mission (Monusco), but the M23 was able to seize at least two major towns, Goma and Bukavu, with lightning advances. It now concludes with a third. Walikel is the main mining hub.
A conflict with neighbouring Rwanda adds an additional dimension to the conflict. The United Nations and the United States have separately accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 and supplying the military. They also claim that the M23 group is smuggling gold, coultan and other minerals from the DRC.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has denied involvement in the M23, but in the past, the Congo Tuttis justified sending Rwandan soldiers to the DRC to protect them from alleged discrimination. Its minority population fled Rwanda in 1994, in the wake of a genocide carried out by a majority member of the HUTU.
Rwanda has also accused the DRC of having armed Hutu groups involved in the genocide. During the Congolese civil war, a UN report concluded that both Rwanda and its ally Uganda had plundered the DRC’s mineral resources.
Analysts fear that the scenario will be unfolding again this time through control of the M23 in the eastern DRC’s lucrative mine. The European Union, which signed a contract with Rwanda in February 2024 to supply 3TG minerals, is considering cancelling the contract. Rwanda currently supplies around 30% of the world’s tantalum. The EU has similar agreements to the DRC.
Several European countries and the US have been imposing sanctions on major Rwandan officials in recent weeks, saying they are linked to current violence in the Eastern DRC and have called on the Kagame government to withdraw its troops.
How will the US benefit from dealing with DRC?
Analysts say Washington can benefit from direct access to DRC government-owned minerals.
Former DRC President Joseph Kabila negotiated several mineral trades with China, but they have been criticized for not providing what was promised and not transparent. Currently, Chinese companies dominate the investment environment for DRC’s mineral industry. Nine of the largest cobalt mining regions are located in the South Katanga of DRC. Of the mines in these regions, half are run by Chinese operators.
Under President Tshisekedi, the DRC government appears to be ready to leave China and invite other players to own and operate the mine. The DRC has signed contracts with the EU and India over the past two years. This week, DRC spokesman Patrick Muyaya told Reuters that the country is ready to “diversify” and that the US in particular is welcome.
“If American investors are interested in coming to DRC today, obviously they will find space… The DRC has available preparations and would be good if American capital could invest here,” he said.
However, analyst Van Darren said it is unlikely that the US would attempt to own a mine at the DRC, as proposed by Congolese politicians.
“I don’t anticipate scenarios where contracts will substantially change the domestic security environment in the short term or China’s domination in the sector,” he said.
He added that a more likely scenario would see the US buy directly from the government, but its rival China continues to run the mine. The approach can also prevent potential US-China “showdowns” on the ground.
What happens next?
The two countries have already fostered a growing relationship under former President Joe Biden’s administration, but it is unclear whether or not the DRC and the US will sign the deal.
While no US companies operate domestically, the US is investing in Lobito Corridor, an infrastructure project that includes the construction of railroads and ports to export DRC minerals through neighbouring Angola.
Under Trump, the relationship is set to trade more, as Ukrainian negotiations have demonstrated, analysts say.
However, experts also say that as the M23 continues to advance towards Kinshasa, it remains unclear how new US military equipment for the DRC will soon change courses of ongoing war.
Such support is likely to intensify the DRC’s efforts to reform weaker military forces in the medium to long term, experts say.