Mineral Wealth of DRC is only a Factor of US Interest in Region: Expert

(2 Minutes Read)

Dr. Samuel Igba, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pretoria, says mineral wealth is just one of the many drivers of conflict in the region and not the only one.

The agreement signed between the DRC and Rwanda has been touted by many as a major step towards ending years of war in the east of the Congo. The United States, which brokered the deal, got involved after Kinshasa proposed a minerals-for-security offer.

But Dr. Samuel Igba, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pretoria, says mineral wealth is just one of the many drivers of conflict in the region and not the only one.

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While the agreement talks about Kinshasa and Kigali, there are dozens of armed groups and proxy forces in the picture, which could complicate any chances of a lasting solution. One of those groups is Rwanda-backed M23, with which Congo is holding separate talks mediated by Qatar.