Kinshasa, Congo – A Trump administration official said Thursday that the United States is in conversations with the PPGO plagued by conflicts about the development of its mineral resources under an agreement that the Congolese president said he could help his country be safer.
The main advisor of the US President Donald Trump for Africa, Massad Boulos, did not provide details of the possible agreement after the conversations with Congo Felix Tshisekedi president in Kinshasa, but said he could involve “multimillion -dollar investments.”
“You have heard of a mineral agreement. We have reviewed” Congo’s proposal, said Bouls. “I am pleased to announce that the president and I have agreed to continue for his development.”
American companies would be “transparently operating” and “stimulate local economies,” said Boulees.
Congo is the worldwide cobalt producer, a mineral used to make lithium -ion batteries for electric vehicles and smartphones. It also has substantial reserves of gold, diamonds and copper.
Tshisekedi said last month that he was open to an agreement on the development of critical minerals with the United States if US participation could help to quell insurgences and boost security in the African country.
“I think that the United States can use pressure or sanctions to make sure that armed groups … can be kept at bay,” said Fox American television station.
The Trump administration is also negotiating with Ukraine by a mineral agreement in that country, which was originally proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last fall in the hope of strengthening the hand of his country in his conflict with Russia by linking US interests with the future of Ukraine.
Eastern Congo He has been in conflict for decades with more than 100 armed groups, most of which compete for territory in the region rich in minerals near the border with Rwanda. The conflict has created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises with more than 7 million displaced people, including 100,000 who fled houses this year.
The M23 is the most powerful armed group and is backed by the neighbor of Congo Ruanda. In Greater climbing Since January, the M23 rebels have captured Rubber and bukavu cities and several cities in the east of the Congo, which caused fears of the regional war.
On Thursday, M23 retired from Walikale, a key mining city in the east of the Congo that captured last month, after weeks of fighting with the Congolese forces and his allied militia of Wazalendo.
M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka said the group decided to “reposition their forces” of Walikale and its surrounding areas in line with a High unilateral fire It was declared in February.
Willy Mishiki, a national deputy who represents Walikale, said the rebels went under pressure from the Wazalendo. Faustin Kamala, resident of Walikale, said it is not clear where the rebels were.
The Walikale area is home to the largest tin deposits of the Congo and several significant gold mines. The Bisie Tin mine, about 60 kilometers (35 miles) northwest of the city, represents most tin exports in the province of North Kivu.
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Banchereau reported from Dakar, Senegal. Associated Press writer Justin Kabumba in rubber, Congo, contributed to this report.
