Home Central Africa US Secretary of State Rubio Witness Signing of DRC and Rwanda Peace...

US Secretary of State Rubio Witness Signing of DRC and Rwanda Peace Deal

32
Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the signing by Congo and Rwanda of a pledge to work toward a peace deal that would ease U.S. access to critical minerals in resource-rich eastern Congo, bringing U.S. influence to bear in a minerals trade that has helped fuel conflict that has killed millions for three decades.

(3 Minutes Read)

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has sought out a deal with the Trump administration that could offer the U.S. better access to his country’s resources in exchange for U.S. help calming hostilities.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio oversaw the signing by Congo and Rwanda of a pledge to work toward a peace deal that would ease U.S. access to critical minerals in resource-rich eastern Congo, bringing U.S. influence to bear in a minerals trade that has helped fuel conflict that has killed millions for three decades.

Rubio’s participation in the Washington ceremony with his Central African counterparts is an early step for the Trump administration to rebuild U.S. foreign policy with both countries.

Congo and Rwanda hope the United States’ involvement—and the incentive of major investment if there’s enough security for U.S. companies to work safely in eastern Congo—will calm the fighting and militia violence that have defied peacekeeping and negotiation since the mid-1990s.

The risk is that the United States becomes involved in or worsens the militia violence, corruption, exploitation, and rights abuses surrounding the mining and trade of East Congo’s riches.

Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a mineral used to make lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles and smartphones. It also has substantial gold, diamond, and copper reserves.

Read Also:

http://trendsnafrica.com/membership-account/membership-levels/

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has sought out a deal with the Trump administration that could offer the U.S. better access to his country’s resources in exchange for U.S. help calming hostilities.