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Congo president discusses U.S. investment and security with lawmaker
On March 17, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo met with U.S. Congressman Ronny Jackson to discuss the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo and potential investment opportunities for U.S. companies. This meeting occurred one week after the U.S. expressed interest in exploring partnerships for critical minerals with Congo. A Congolese lawmaker had previously approached U.S. officials in February to propose a minerals-for-security agreement. Jackson, described as a "special envoy" by the Congolese presidency, was sent by former President Donald Trump.
Tshisekedi is grappling with an insurgency led by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels in eastern Congo, and his government is planning to send a delegation to peace talks in Angola on Tuesday. The country is rich in essential minerals such as cobalt, lithium, and uranium.
While the Congolese government has not yet disclosed any formal proposal for an agreement with the U.S., it emphasized the importance of seeking diverse international partnerships. Jackson, in the statement, noted that the goal was to encourage U.S. investment in Congo, contingent upon ensuring a peaceful environment.
The long-standing conflict in eastern Congo is closely linked to Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the competition for control over Congo's abundant mineral wealth. This year, the situation has worsened, with M23 now controlling Congo’s two largest cities in the east. Rwanda has been accused of supporting the M23 rebels, though it denies these claims. Experts, like Africa analyst Byron Cabrol, warn that U.S. mining companies may hesitate to invest in Congo due to issues such as poor infrastructure, insecurity, corruption, and competition from Chinese firms.