President Felix Tshisekedi has proposed a minerals-for-security agreement to US President Donald Trump. The proposal centers around access to key minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, and tantalum, which are essential to America’s thriving tech industry. In return, Tshisekedi seeks US support in defeating the M23 rebels, a militia group backed by Rwanda, that has been wreaking havoc in eastern DRC.
The DRC’s offer comes at a time of intense geopolitical competition, with both the US and China seeking to control global supplies of rare minerals used in technologies like smartphones, electric vehicles, and high-tech devices. These materials are found in abundance in the mineral-rich eastern regions of the DRC, a country that holds some of the world’s largest deposits of these critical minerals.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News, President Tshisekedi outlined his proposal, highlighting that a partnership with the US would not only help defeat the M23 rebels but also help the DRC tap into its vast mineral wealth. “This partnership would allow us to extract and process critical minerals, benefiting American companies while simultaneously strengthening our country’s defences against armed groups,” Tshisekedi said.
The M23 rebellion has gained significant ground in the last several months, capturing large parts of the eastern DRC, including key cities like Goma and Bukavu. These areas are home to some of the world’s most valuable mineral deposits, including gold, copper, and cassiterite, a key source of tin. Most recently, the rebels have seized Walikale, an important mining hub in the region, deepening concerns about the security of DRC’s resource-rich areas.
The DRC’s latest appeal to the US is seen as an attempt to tap into President Trump’s “America First” foreign policy, which has focused on securing natural resources to benefit the US economy. The country’s mineral wealth has become a point of interest for both Washington and Beijing, which have been in fierce competition over securing access to these vital resources.
In his letter to President Trump, which was reported by the Wall Street Journal, Tshisekedi emphasized the potential benefits of a partnership between the DRC and the United States. “Your election has ushered in a golden age for America,” the letter read. “Our partnership would provide the US with a strategic advantage by securing critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, and tantalum from the Democratic Republic of Congo.”
These minerals are crucial for manufacturing batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones, and other electronic devices, making the DRC a vital player in the global supply chain for these technologies. As the world increasingly shifts towards green energy solutions, the demand for such minerals has skyrocketed. This has put the DRC at the center of a global battle for control over critical resources.
The DRC’s proposal also draws attention to the escalating security situation in the country’s eastern regions, where the M23 rebels have made significant advances. Tshisekedi believes that the United States could use its influence to pressure the militias, using diplomatic or economic tools such as sanctions, to push them back. The US has a long history of using sanctions and other forms of pressure to combat insurgencies and terrorist groups around the world, and Tshisekedi is hoping this strategy could be applied to the M23 crisis.
“America has the power to use either pressure or sanctions to make sure that armed groups in the DRC can be kept at bay,” Tshisekedi explained. He is hopeful that the US will act quickly to stabilize the region, which is becoming increasingly unstable as the M23 rebels gain more ground.
The US has shown a growing interest in securing access to natural resources globally, as evidenced by ongoing talks with other countries such as Kazakhstan and Ukraine. In Kazakhstan, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has discussed strengthening economic ties in critical sectors, including energy and telecommunications. Ukraine has also offered its mineral resources to the US as part of a potential ceasefire deal with Russia.
In the DRC, Tshisekedi has been in talks with Erik Prince, a close ally of President Trump and the founder of the controversial Blackwater security firm, to help the Congolese government secure its mining operations. Prince is reportedly in negotiations to assist the DRC in cracking down on tax evasion in the mining sector by providing security for tax collectors and helping to streamline the country’s fiscal system.
The DRC’s offer comes as the country continues to face significant security challenges, with the Congolese military struggling to repel the M23 rebels. Despite efforts to strengthen the country’s defences, including the hiring of Romanian mercenaries, the Congolese army has been pushed back in many areas, leaving civilians and valuable resources vulnerable to rebel control.
In particular, the city of Goma, a key economic hub in the region, was overrun by M23 fighters despite the presence of Romanian mercenaries. The mercenaries were later captured and released by Rwandan forces, highlighting the difficulties the DRC faces in defending its territory.
The security situation in the DRC has also led to widespread displacement, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing their homes in search of safety. Many refugees have reported that Congolese soldiers often abandon their posts without a fight, further compounding the challenges faced by the country’s government.
In light of these ongoing struggles, Tshisekedi is hoping that a partnership with the US will provide the necessary support to drive back the M23 rebels and stabilize the region. By offering access to its mineral wealth, the DRC is positioning itself as a key partner in the global competition for rare-earth minerals, while also seeking to strengthen its defences against the growing threat posed by armed groups.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on Washington to see whether President Trump will accept the DRC’s offer. If successful, the partnership could reshape the geopolitics of the region, providing much-needed support to the Congolese government while securing critical resources for the US tech industry.
