Can Kinshasa strike minerals from the US?

It seems that the Democratic Republic of the Congo appeals to the US in its latest efforts to find an ally in the fight against the upcoming M23 rebels.

Recognizing that the White House of President Donald Trump is interested in transactional relations – and seeing the proposed mineral business, Ukraine is a rich resource, Dr. Congo, hoping to apply his own agreement with Washington.

It was also reported that Trump will soon appoint his daughter Tiffany’s father -in -law to key role in the region.

Congolese Muya’s press secretary -secretary confirmed the BBC Newsday program that his country wanted to bring the United States on board and put it “with some critical minerals”.

“Of course … We can also talk about security,” he added.

D -R Congo is military in trouble.

M23 fighters – backed up by neighboring Rwanda – have made great success in the parts rich in the east of the country.

Regional forces – first from East, and then South Africa – which they had to assist, could not restrain the rebels. The M23 spoke about the promotion to the West, trying to seize Kinshasa’s capital, although it is 1600 km (1000 miles).

Given the danger, it is not surprising that President Felix Tshasecki can look at the ways of pulling up his position.

February 22, This is reported the New York Times To say that the Trump administration showed interest in the transaction related to strategic minerals.

On the eve of the Business -Council of Africa – Susha – Lobwist Group – US Secretary of State Mark Rubio wrote on behalf of the Congolese Senator, which describes a possible transaction that included “economic and military partnership”.

The D -Congo D -Congo is estimated to have $ 24 (£ 19tn) unused resources -including cobalt, gold and copper.

Currently, the country is the world’s largest COBALT supplier – which is protection and aerospace applications, and is important for batteries in electric vehicles – but most of it goes to China. It also has significant lithium deposits, tantalum and uranium, which also have military use.

Though US invest in a huge infrastructure project – The LoBito Corridor – Designed to transport goods from Central Africa to Angola’s port, his company does not participate in mining at Dr. Congo.

As China dominates the Congolese Mineral Sector, there may be “an expanded strategic gap, where competitive countries continue to monopolize Africa’s resources,” a letter to Rubio said.

Theoretically, D -R Congo may offer favorable conditions for US companies to use resources.

But, according to mining-analytics, Gregory Mtemb-Salter, as opposed to China, relies on private commercial companies to do the job, they can decide what is too risky to do business there.

But this is all very speculative, and the US Department of State said that “there is nothing view or announcement at this time.”

However, the US is “open to discuss partnerships in this sector”, which correspond to the executive order aimed at making the US “leading producers and processors of non -fuel minerals, including minerals of rare land.”

One of the key spheres may be in the “strengthening of military cooperation”, as stated in a letter to Rubio.

This provides:

• Training and equipment of soldiers “to protect mineral routes”
• Giving the US access to military bases “to protect strategic resources”
• And “replacement of ineffective UN peacekeeping operations with direct US-DRC security cooperation”.

Congolese’s press secretary refused to confirm these details, but there is some skepticism as to how realistic and immediately effective they can be.

According to Stephanie Walters, a regional analyst of the South African Institute of International Affairs, if Kinshasa wants the US military presence in the East, “this is not very likely.”

In addition, “weapons and training and long-term problems,” she told the BBC to focus on Africa.

“I think that the information -educational activity made by the Congolese government is probably related to the active military situation in the East, and I am not convinced that what the US can offer in return is really what can solve the urgent need at the moment.”

Analyst of the Congal Industry of the Congolese Jean-Pierre Ocenda said that some control over the transaction would be wise, which believes that it is also necessary to contact the parliament and civil society if it serves the interests of the people.

Looking at the great picture, he said he was moving to a more peaceful future to decide “kleptocratic government”.

The previous transaction with China, which gave access to the minerals in exchange for infrastructure projects, was criticized for not making some of the promised ones.

Since then, Tshisekedi has talked this, but the lack of transparency in these negotiations has been criticized.

Soon, nothing specific will happen.

While Muyai, speaking for Kinshasa, was vague in what we could expect, he said the BBC that “in the coming days we can have more information to share.”

He added that there is “political will (from tshisekedi) and I think the United States has attention to these issues.”

From the US, According to the Semafor news sitePresident Trump should announce that Masad Wood will become a new regional messenger at the White House.

He is the father of Michael Boulos, who has been married to Trump’s daughter Tiffany, and has been holding the position of Senior Trump’s senior adviser on Arab and the Middle East since December.

Among its business interests is a company based in Nigeria, which specializes in the distribution of cars and equipment across West Africa – and is expected to go to Kinshas in the next few weeks.