US in talks with Congo over mining rights to bolster relations
The United States is in discussions with the Democratic Republic of the Congo about a potential agreement on mining key resources, which could enhance support for the government in Kinshasa, according to the "Financial Times."
The DRC, which is rich in copper, cobalt, and uranium, has approached the US with a proposal for an agreement that would grant exploration rights in exchange for backing President Felix Tshisekedi's government.
"Congolese officials hope a minerals deal will shore up support for Tshisekedi as he struggles with armed conflict in the eastern part of the country, where M23 rebels backed by neighbouring Rwanda have captured swaths of mineral rich territory and the two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu," the "FT" explained.
Rebels from the M23 group, supported by neighboring Rwanda, have taken over mineral-rich areas and the two largest cities, Goma and Bukavu. "The DRC is endowed with a significant share of the world’s critical minerals required for advanced technologies," stated a State Department spokesperson in an interview with the "FT."
Background of the conflict
The rebellion in eastern DRC is a consequence of the genocide committed against the Tutsi population by the Hutu in Rwanda during the 1990s. Over 800,000 people died as a result of these events, and two million Hutu fled to the DRC, leading to further ethnic tensions.
The authorities in Kinshasa accuse the rebels and Rwanda of trying to seize control of the resource-rich eastern part of the country. M23 leaders claim their aim is to protect ethnic minorities from the Kinshasa government, which they accuse of inciting ethnic hatred.
