U.S. Pushes Congo and Rwanda to Sign Ukraine-Style Mineral Deals

Massad Boulos, a senior adviser on Africa policy for President Donald Trump, informed Reuters on Thursday that the administration aims for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda to establish peace by signing a treaty between themselves. Subsequently, they would sign mineral deals similar to those of Ukraine with the United States.

Boulos anticipated that a minerals agreement with the DRC would be finalized on the same day as the peace accords between Congo and Rwanda, with a separate but related deal to be signed with Rwanda on the same day.

This significant day, as noted by Boulos, is expected to occur within the following two months. During a recent meeting in Washington, the DRC and Rwanda agreed on an ambitious timeline, with both countries set to present drafts of their respective parts of the peace treaty by May 2. A meeting led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio will be held in Washington to finalize the peace treaty by mid-May.

As part of the deal, Rwanda committed to discontinuing support to M23 and other insurgent groups that have been causing turmoil in eastern Congo. This includes the capture of several important cities in the DRC earlier in the year, during which Rwandan troops were observed alongside the insurgents.

In exchange for Rwanda removing its troops and ending support for the insurgents, the DRC will address Rwanda’s security concerns, including actions against a Rwandan insurgent group known as the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), operating in the Congo.

The FDLR is just one of many armed groups operating in eastern Congo, with its mainly Hutu members aiming to overthrow the Tutsi-led Rwandan government, a concern stemming from the 1994 Rwandan genocide.

Boulos emphasized that the U.S. mineral deals with both African nations must be finalized before the peace treaty can be signed. The DRC deal is expected to be on a larger scale due to the country’s vast resources, while Rwanda also possesses significant mining potential.

Following a meeting in Doha, Qatar, on Thursday, delegations from the DRC and Rwanda expressed nearing an agreement on a draft peace treaty. The DRC’s rich untapped mineral reserves, including precious metals, cobalt, copper, and lithium, present a significant opportunity for investors, pending stabilization of the region.

The current security situation in eastern Congo has hindered the exploitation of these resources, with the presence of M23 insurgents further complicating matters. Efforts by peacekeeping forces, including MONUSCO, have been met with challenges, with recent clashes resulting in casualties among peacekeepers and Congolese forces.

In response to the escalating conflict, South Africa, Malawi, and Tanzania have begun withdrawing peacekeeping forces from rebel-held areas. President Felix Tshisekedi previously suggested granting the U.S. exclusive mineral rights in exchange for support against M23.

Boulos, with established business interests in Africa, engaged with the DRC following Tshisekedi’s proposal to initiate discussions on a mineral agreement.