Congo's Tshisekedi Meets US Lawmaker on Mineral Partnerships

Democratic Republic of Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi met with U.S. lawmaker Ronny Jackson to discuss the ongoing insurgency by M23 rebels in the east and potential U.S. investment in the region. This meeting comes in the wake of Washington expressing interest in critical minerals partnerships with Congo, which is rich in resources such as cobalt, lithium, and uranium. Tshisekedi's government plans to attend peace talks in Angola aimed at addressing the violence that has been exacerbated by Rwandan support for the M23 rebels. While the government has not detailed a specific proposal for a minerals-for-security deal, Jackson emphasized the importance of a peaceful environment for American companies to invest. However, analysts warn that challenges such as poor infrastructure, insecurity, and corruption may hinder U.S. firms from entering the market, especially given the strong presence of Chinese companies. The conflict's roots are tied to historical events, including the spillover from Rwanda's 1994 genocide, complicating the investment landscape further.