DRC seeks minerals-for-security deal with US

The Democratic Republic of the Congo is reportedly seeking its own version of the minerals-for-security deal that has been offered by the Trump administration to Ukraine.

Reuters reported that a Congolese Senator had written to the US State Department offering a similar deal that would help the war-torn country address its security challenges, notably in the east where rebels have taken strategic towns and rare metal areas.

“The United States is open to exploring critical minerals partnerships with Congo,” the agency reported, citing the State Department.

The DRC is rich with rare metals crucial for high-tech and green technologies, such as batteries, electric vehicles, smartphones, and wind turbines.

The country has about 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves as well as one of the largest lithium deposits globally.

“The United States is open to discussing partnerships in this sector that are aligned with the Trump Administration’s America First Agenda,” a State Department spokesperson told the agency.