Tshisekedi seeks mineral deal with US and EU as M23 gains ground in eastern DRC
24 February 2025
Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi has called on the US and EU to buy minerals directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His appeal comes as M23 advances in eastern DRC, seizing Goma and other key cities.
Tshisekedi’s spokesperson, Tina Salama, said on X the offer was first extended to the U.S., arguing that the Trump administration had exposed Rwanda’s role in exploiting DRC’s wealth. She then added that the proposal was also open to European nations, warning that “receiving stolen goods will become increasingly complicated.”
The EU and US currently source minerals such as coltan and cobalt from Rwanda. This is facing growing scrutiny as M23 expands its control over Congo’s resource-rich areas. The European Parliament has already called for suspending the EU’s 935 million euro deal with Rwanda over concerns about illicit minerals. On Monday, the EU Foreign Affairs Council will debate the suspension and consider further sanctions.
M23-advance
M23, which resurfaced in 2021, has captured Bukavu and is now advancing toward Uvira, near Burundi’s border. The militant group seized the city of Goma in January. Over 3,000 people were killed and thousands were displaced in the fighting.
Tshisekedi has rejected direct talks with M23 and has insisted on negotiations with Rwanda instead. As peace efforts falter and the DRC military struggles to contain rebel advances, Kinshasa is betting on Western support to regain control over its territory and resources.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) struggle to keep control over mineral-rich areas in the east of the country, where the Rwandan-backed group M23 is seizing towns
24 February 2025
Congolese president Felix Tshisekedi has called on the US and EU to buy minerals directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). His appeal comes as M23 advances in eastern DRC, seizing Goma and other key cities.
Tshisekedi’s spokesperson, Tina Salama, said on X the offer was first extended to the U.S., arguing that the Trump administration had exposed Rwanda’s role in exploiting DRC’s wealth. She then added that the proposal was also open to European nations, warning that “receiving stolen goods will become increasingly complicated.”
The EU and US currently source minerals such as coltan and cobalt from Rwanda. This is facing growing scrutiny as M23 expands its control over Congo’s resource-rich areas. The European Parliament has already called for suspending the EU’s 935 million euro deal with Rwanda over concerns about illicit minerals. On Monday, the EU Foreign Affairs Council will debate the suspension and consider further sanctions.
M23-advance
M23, which resurfaced in 2021, has captured Bukavu and is now advancing toward Uvira, near Burundi’s border. The militant group seized the city of Goma in January. Over 3,000 people were killed and thousands were displaced in the fighting.
Tshisekedi has rejected direct talks with M23 and has insisted on negotiations with Rwanda instead. As peace efforts falter and the DRC military struggles to contain rebel advances, Kinshasa is betting on Western support to regain control over its territory and resources.
The Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) struggle to keep control over mineral-rich areas in the east of the country, where the Rwandan-backed group M23 is seizing towns
© Luis TATO / AFP
The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has offered the United States and the European Union access to its mineral deposits in exchange for security support to deter Rwanda.
24 February, 2025March 23 Movement fighters in the captured city of Goma, DR Congo, February 2025
The New York Times reported on this.
In order to deter the aggression of the Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement militants, who are increasingly advancing in the east of the country, President Félix Tshisekedi has offered the United States and the European Union access to its mineral resources.
The country has some of the world’s largest mineral reserves, such as gold, tin, and tantalum, which are critical materials for the production of microelectronics and batteries. The country’s coltan deposits account for most of the world’s tantalum production. It also contains more than half of the world’s reserves of cobalt, which is used in electric vehicles.
Tshisekedi is pinning his hopes on Western pressure on Rwanda, hoping that large investments in Congo, including a possible minerals deal, will bring his country much more security and stability. He said the Trump administration had already shown interest in the deal.
China now has far more access to Congo’s mineral wealth than the United States, while the European Union has negotiated with Rwanda, agreeing to provide it with about $935 million in exchange for access to minerals such as tin, tungsten and gold.
Hybrid war with Rwanda
Earlier this year, the paramilitary group of the March 23 Movement, also known as M23, began fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, rapidly seizing key cities and territories.
After taking control of the small town of Sake, the Rwandan-backed militants launched an operation on April 27 to surround Goma, the largest city in the eastern part of the DRC, and Bukavu, the administrative center of South Kivu province.
Having driven government forces out of the besieged border town on January 30, the militants took control of key positions and the Mpumalanga airport, which was located in the middle of a building and was home to troops and Congolese warplanes.
One of the successes of the rebels of the March 23 Movement was the capture of Congolese armored vehicles and artillery, in particular, T-55 tanks, BATT UMG armored vehicles, 122 mm D-30 and M-30 howitzers, as well as the Bastion multiple rocket launcher system, which was purchased in Ukraine.
However, the most significant trophy of the militants was a Su-25 attack aircraft based at the captured airport.
A DR Congo Su-25 attack aircraft captured by March 23 Movement militants, January 30, 2025. Photo: RBA Digital
Following these successes, the March 23 Movement continued its advance, attacking the main government positions on the road to Butembo, a town north of Goma.
Following these successes, the March 23 Movement continued its advance, attacking the main government positions on the road to Butembo, a town north of Goma.
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