In a March 19, 2025, interview with Fox News, Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi confirmed his government’s willingness to negotiate a security partnership with the United States in exchange for access to critical minerals.
"We are looking for partnerships and have established some with several countries. We believe that the United States, given its role and influence in the world, is an important partner for us. We are happy to see that with the Trump administration, things are moving forward at a faster pace on both sides," Tshisekedi told the network, which is reportedly close to President Trump.
The Congolese leader did not talk about potential arms shipments or the deployment of U.S. military personnel in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). However, some lobbyists representing Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi—Chairman of the Senate's Defense, Security and Border Protection Committee—previously addressed this request to the U.S. Secretary of State Marc Rubio.
President Tshisekedi highlighted the opportunity for sustainable U.S. investment in critical mineral extraction and processing, which he said could create jobs and foster long-term stability.
Asked about how he would guarantee the safety of American investors in his country, Tshisekedi mentioned plans to strengthen the Congolese army’s defense capabilities and expressed hope that U.S.-imposed sanctions and pressure on armed groups could help stabilize conflict zones.
Trump Sends Special Envoy to Kinshasa
A few days before President Tshisikedi’s appearance on Fox, the U.S. had sent a Special Envoy, Ronny Jackson, to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Jackson, a member of Congress, met with Tshisekedi on March 16.
Jackson came amid escalating tensions in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have seized control of key cities including Goma and Bukavu.
“The DRC’s sovereignty and territorial integrity must be respected by all. We are going to work so that all obstacles on the path to peace are removed, so that peace returns to the DRC ", Jackson said during the meeting, according to DRC Presidency. "Our goal is to ensure that American companies can come, invest, and work in the DRC. And to do that, we need to make sure there's a peacefulenvironment," he added, according to the same source.
Several actors are getting involved in the talks to end the conflict in eastern DRC. Qatar, one of them, facilitated a meeting between Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame of Rwanda on March 17.
The recent developments unfold against a backdrop of intensifying U.S.-China rivalry, with Beijing controlling nearly 80% of DRC's mines. Washington views China as an economic and geostrategic competitor in the mineral-rich African nation.
Amidst the world’s technological development and geopolitical tensions, the DRC's critical mineral resources, valued at an estimated $24 trillion by the World Bank, have attracted global attention. The country has signed preliminary agreements with various entities, including the European Union, Saudi Arabia, and Japan, potentially complicating U.S. interests in the region.
After visiting the DRC, Ronny Jackson also went to the neighboring Congo-Brazzaville where he met with President Denis Sassou Nguesso. According to the Chinese official press, Nguesso asked Jackson to mediate in the US-China trade rivalry.
This article was initially published in French by Georges Auréole Bamba
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
