Five points showing a proposed metal deal between the Congo and the Trump administration

Among the hopes of the Democratic Government of the Congo to obtain those who support it to fight the rebels, and the desire of the United States and its openness to reach African wealth, the mineral deal that the government of Velix Chiksdi was presented to the administration of US President Donald Trump.

What is the metal deal?

The conversation has spread weeks ago about a metal deal in exchange for military support between the Democratic Congo and the United States, which will enable the latter to reach the sites of Congolese minerals, in exchange for help in security support that helps the Kinshasa government in restoring control of the east of the country rich in rare minerals, which is controlled by the M23 rebel movement.

Congolese government spokesman Patrick Moyaya confirmed that his country wants to diversify its partners, and if American investors want to come, they will find extensive opportunities for them.

For its part, the United States said it is open to discussing partnerships in the mineral sector whose goals are in line with Trump’s policy that raises the slogan “America First”.

Although preliminary discussions have already started between the parties for weeks, the details of the objectives and contents of the deal are still not announced.

What are the goals of the deal?

The Congo is one of the richest countries in the world with metal, copper and lehium minerals, which are essential in advanced technologies for defense industries and energy transformation.

Access to these minerals is one of the main factors in the continued rebellion in the eastern Democratic Congo, as United Nations reports say that the M -23, supported by Rwanda, imposes large taxes on mining activities, and earns from one of the two colors in the Robia region, north of Kivu, fees of 800 thousand dollars per month.

The rebels are accused of looting and smuggling minerals by Rwanda, which has become a lot of money used to feed conflicts.

The Democratic Congo is behind the partnership with the United States to secure mining mines from the ongoing looting of the rebel movements.

It also wants to put an end to chaos and fighting in the conflict areas, as the deterioration of the security situation threatens the unity of the state and the integrity of its lands.

For its part, the United States seeks to benefit from the huge mineral resources in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the presence of a foothold in Africa, and the crowding of China, which controls about 80% of the Congo mining operations.

When did the negotiation path start?

On February 22, Congolese President Felix Chiksdi conducted an interview with the New York Times in which he said that he offered the United States of America and Europe a share of huge mineral wealth in his country in exchange for intervention and pressure on the state of Rwanda behind the rebels.

Chiksadi said that the Trump administration has expressed interest in obtaining a deal that could guarantee a flow of strategic and precious minerals in the Republic of the Congo.

The American newspaper said that the government in Kinshasa believes that reaching an agreement with the United States will bring to the country important gains related to security and stability.

The interview of President Chiksdi came one day after sending a message from Congolese Senators Pierre Canda to the US Secretary of State requesting a partnership between the two countries in the field of mineral wealth.

On March 9th, the US State Department said that the United States has become open to exploring partnerships in the field of biological minerals with the Kinshasa government after the Congolese Senators contacted several US officials, which showed partnership and investment.

Reuters quoted informed sources as saying that the Deputy Chief of Special Staff of the Democratic Congo visited Washington earlier this month to discuss the issue of partnership between the two countries.

According to mutual data and statements, negotiations led to acknowledging the importance of the deal and discussing how it is implemented.

What are the terms of the agreement?

According to the American press about the content of the Congolese Senator’s message to the US Secretary of State, the Kinshasa government proposes to the Trump administration to reach mineral sites in the eastern regions, and allow it to control a ports in the territorial waters to be a center for storage and export.

On the other hand, the American forces are training and preparing the Congolese armed forces to protect the mineral supply routes from armed groups supported by the abroad.

According to the aforementioned message, military cooperation with the United States can replace the United Nations peace mission, which the Congolese government considers an ineffective force.

Recently, American media reported that Trump is preparing to appoint a special envoy to the Great Lakes area to study some of the files, the most important of which is the metal deal with the Congo.

Observers believe that the point related to the presence of American forces is difficult to verify, because it contradicts President Trump’s promises to return the soldiers to the homeland.

Are there difficulties in front of the deal?

Access to a final agreement with the United States on exploiting access to wealth for protection and military support seems to be objected to by multiple difficulties, the most important of which are:

• The United States does not have mining companies currently operating in the Congo land, and if it wants to start again, you may need a lot of time to equip the logistical means so that it can enter the competition field.

• The United States does not have government -owned companies working in the field of mining like what is the case of Chinese companies, and if you want the Congo to grant special privileges to the Trump administration, it will have to search for other means that may be more complicated.

• Most of the rich mines discovered in the eastern Congo were previously granted to private companies that dominate China most of them, and if the United States wants to enter into competition, it may have to carry out new surveys and discoveries, which requires many huge investments that do not guarantee significant results upon arrival.

With all of these challenges, the United States may reach its goals in the eastern Democratic Congo, as it previously funded the railway road linking between the Zambia and Southeast Congo mines in the port of Lubito in the state of Angola, and aims to strengthen American supplies and confront Chinese influence.

Despite the difficulties, American and Congolese officials are looking to find a common ground to reach a final agreement, and that was expressed by the presidential spokeswoman in the Congo last Tuesday, saying that the negotiations are going on the right path, and we are waiting until it ends so that its content will be revealed.