When Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a peace deal in Washington in June, it was hailed as a breakthrough for a region scarred by years of conflict. But the real story may lie in what comes next.
A draft economic framework, exclusively seen by Reuters, shows that the United States and its partners are positioning themselves at the center of efforts to reshape the DRC’s mineral trade. For Washington, the agreement is not only about securing peace but also about access to critical resources.
Massad Boulos, senior adviser for Africa in President Trump’s administration, said the U.S. is pursuing a minerals deal with Kinshasa to ensure American companies operate transparently while also stimulating local economies.
Trump’s interest and U.S. strategic push
The Trump administration’s active role in brokering the June peace deal has sparked debate about Washington’s long-term intentions in the region.
Analysts note that the U.S. is seeking greater control over DRC’s minerals, particularly cobalt and lithium, which are indispensable for electric vehicles, smartphones, and clean energy technologies.
Mvemba Phezo Dizolele, senior fellow and director of the Africa Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), in a report for the Atlantic Council, noted that Western powers are increasingly focused on DRC’s minerals as they try to reduce reliance on China for resources like cobalt, copper, and lithium.
He pointed out that the European Union’s February 18, 2024, Memorandum of Understanding on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains with Rwanda raised concerns, given Kigali’s history of smuggling minerals from rebel-held areas in the DRC.
Dizolele added that the Trump administration’s designation of critical minerals as vital to U.S. national security has intensified Washington’s push for a minerals-for-security partnership with Kinshasa.
Under Trump, the U.S. has doubled down on efforts to reduce reliance on China for critical mineral supply chains. Beijing currently dominates global mineral processing, and the DRC has historically been closely tied to Chinese mining interests.
By facilitating a peace accord and backing regulatory reforms, Washington positions itself as both mediator and strategic investor, a move critics argue could shift mineral flows away from Chinese companies and toward U.S. partners.
Some observers warn that while the framework promises stability and transparency, it also risks entrenching U.S. influence over DRC’s vast natural resources.
“This is as much about geopolitics as it is about peace,” one Western diplomat told Reuters, noting that the framework could become a lever for U.S. dominance in Africa’s mineral future.
Rwanda-DRC peace pact nearing final agreement
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are set to finalize the economic framework to reshape mineral supply chains and attract major investment to the Great Lakes region, building on the June peace deal signed in Washington under the Trump administration and now under review by lenders, investors, and donors.
According to a 17-page draft seen by Reuters, the framework outlines reforms that Kigali and Kinshasa would commit to, with support from third parties such as the United States.
The text calls for regulatory initiatives designed to de-risk private investment, curb illicit mineral trade, and boost transparency in one of the world’s most resource-rich but unstable regions.
The proposals include independent inspections of mining sites, cross-border special economic zones, and adherence to international transparency standards such as the OECD’s due diligence guidance.
Annual summits, steering committees, and technical working groups would oversee implementation and review progress.
Minerals at the heart of the deal
The DRC and Rwanda sit on vast deposits of strategic minerals including cobalt, copper, tantalum, lithium, and gold. The DRC alone supplies over 70% of the world’s cobalt, a key component in batteries for electric vehicles.
Yet instability, smuggling, and weak governance have long undermined efforts to harness these resources for sustainable development.
By pledging to clean up their supply chains, both governments hope to unlock billions of dollars in Western investment, particularly from industries seeking ethical and transparent sourcing of minerals critical to the global energy transition.
Obstacles and delays
Despite progress on paper, implementation faces hurdles. Western diplomats warn that Rwanda has yet to withdraw its troops and that Congolese operations against the FDLR have not begun.
With other peace processes in the region stalling, skepticism remains over whether the political will exists to meet the ambitious timelines.
Nonetheless, analysts argue that aligning U.S. strategic interests with regional reforms could be a turning point. If the peace deal holds and reforms are implemented, DRC and Rwanda may not only stabilize their borders but also reposition themselves at the center of the global minerals race.
