Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Felix Tshisekedi has expressed willingness to establish a minerals-for-security partnership with the United States, aiming to leverage the country’s vast natural resources while strengthening its defense capabilities.
A Strategic Partnership for Mutual Benefit
In an interview with Fox News host Bret Baier, Tshisekedi emphasized that such a deal would allow Congo to extract and process its critical minerals to benefit US companies, while also securing support for the country’s security infrastructure.
“I believe the US has the ability to use pressure or sanctions to ensure that armed groups operating in the DRC are contained,” Tshisekedi stated.
The DRC is one of the world’s richest sources of essential minerals, including cobalt, lithium, and uranium—key components for global energy and technology industries. However, ongoing conflicts, particularly against Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, have posed significant challenges to stability in the eastern part of the country.
Leveraging Resources for Security and Economic Growth
With the demand for critical minerals soaring due to the global energy transition, Tshisekedi sees an opportunity to align with the US to create a structured trade and security framework. Such an agreement could help the DRC build a stronger, self-sustaining economy while addressing pressing security concerns.
The proposal underscores the shifting geopolitical dynamics in the mineral supply chain, with the US seeking to secure alternative sources of strategic minerals amid rising competition with China.
While details of a potential agreement remain undefined, Tshisekedi’s willingness to negotiate signals a significant step toward a stronger US-DRC partnership—one that could reshape Africa’s role in the global mineral market while bolstering regional security.
