Is Trump mulling a minerals deal with conflict-hit DR Congo?
BBC- The Democratic Republic of Congo appears to be turning to the US in its latest efforts to find an ally in its fight against advancing M23 rebels.
Recognising that the White House of President Donald Trump is interested in transactional relationships – and seeing the proposed Ukraine-US mineral deal – the resource-rich DR Congo is hoping to strike its own agreement with Washington.
It has also been reported that Trump is soon to appoint the father-in-law of his daughter, Tiffany, to a key role in the region.
Congolese government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya confirmed to the BBC’s Newsday programme that his country wanted to bring the US on board and supply it “with some critical minerals”.
“Of course… we can also talk about security,” he added.
DR Congo is in trouble militarily.
M23 fighters – backed by neighbouring Rwanda – have made major advances in parts of the mineral-rich east of the country.
Regional forces – first from east and then southern Africa – which were supposed to provide some help have failed to hold back the rebels. The M23 has talked about advancing west in a bid to seize the capital, Kinshasa, even though it is 1,600km (1,000 miles) away.
Given the dangers, it is not surprising that President Félix Tshisekedi might be looking at ways to shore up his position.
On 22 February, Tshisekedi was reported by the New York Times to have said that the Trump administration had shown interest in a deal involving strategic minerals.
