President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has proposed a secret agreement to President Trump. In exchange for U.S. military support against rebels, he offers access to vital minerals necessary for American high-tech companies. Ongoing negotiations involving Erik Prince further complicate the situation, reflecting the Trump administration’s resource-centered diplomacy.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Félix Tshisekedi, has proposed a covert agreement to President Trump, suggesting U.S. military support against a rebel force in exchange for access to vital minerals. In a letter dated February 8, Tshisekedi outlined mining opportunities for the U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund, promoting a partnership that would enhance America’s strategic advantage in obtaining critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, and tantalum.
In return for this mining access, Tshisekedi requested a formal security pact to assist the Congolese military in battling M23, a Rwandan-backed rebel group responsible for significant territorial gains in eastern Congo. The specifics of military assistance required were not disclosed, with a White House representative indicating no commentary on private correspondences to the president.
This proposal emerges amidst ongoing discussions between Tshisekedi and Erik Prince, a former Blackwater founder, concerning potential contracts for tax collection and revenue security from Congo’s extensive mining operations. Numerous militias remain active in eastern Congo, with current conflicts tracing back to the historical Rwandan genocide.
Rwanda denies its involvement with M23 but a recent U.N. report indicates military support for the rebels. Rwanda purportedly seeks to secure its borders and assist ethnic Tutsis in Congo. The Congolese initiative is leveraged against Trump’s transactional foreign policy style, aimed at facilitating access to resources vital for American high-tech industries.
Tantalum and cobalt are integral to the production of electronic devices, while lithium plays a critical role in electric vehicle battery production. This partnership is considered crucial to bolster U.S. competitiveness in technology sectors as articulated by Tshisekedi in his letter.
A spokesperson from Tshisekedi’s office confirmed the authenticity of the letter and highlighted ongoing conversations regarding American access to Congolese resources. These discussions were facilitated through an intermediary who communicated the offer to Trump’s administration, leading to acknowledgment by the National Security Council.
Simultaneously, sanctions against Rwandan officials associated with the Congo conflict were unveiled by the Treasury Department. Tshisekedi’s representative emphasized the DRC’s intention to collaborate with the Trump administration, asserting an end to the turmoil and addressing illicit mineral flows to Rwanda.
While Prince has yet to finalize any agreement, meetings in Kinshasa were reported to have engaged high-level officials discussing the security of mining revenues, which have markedly diminished in the wake of M23’s advancements. The potential contract includes bolstering tax collection enforcement through security provisions, similar to previous operations by Prince’s military firm.
Erik Prince has made headlines in various geopolitical contexts for past initiatives that sought resource control through private military intervention, including plans in Yemen aimed at displacing rebel groups. The tradition of seeking unrestricted access to natural resources has remained a critical element of the Trump administration’s foreign policy agenda, extending to dealings with numerous nations.
This article discusses the secretive proposal from President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo to President Trump. Tshisekedi seeks U.S. military support against rebels in exchange for access to essential minerals. The negotiations, involving Erik Prince, highlight the intersection of foreign aid, resource control, and the shifting dynamics in international relations during the Trump administration. Ultimately, this partnership could redirect significant resource wealth towards American high-tech industries, while addressing long-standing conflicts in the region.
Original Source: www.livemint.com
