Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has cast doubt on the success of a U.S.-mediated peace deal with Rwanda, saying fighting in eastern Congo continues despite Washington’s efforts.
While thanking President Donald Trump for his efforts to end the conflict, Tshisekedi emphasized in New York that Kinshasa would not “auction” its vast mineral wealth under foreign pressure, Reuters reported.
Yet months later, clashes continue to devastate communities, underscoring the limits of international diplomacy in ending one of Africa’s longest-running conflicts.
U.S. Interests: Peace as a Gateway to Minerals
For Washington, the stakes in Congo go beyond security. The Trump administration has signaled that ending the violence could pave the way for billions of dollars in Western investment in Congo’s mining sector.
The region holds critical reserves of cobalt, copper, lithium, tantalum, and gold, minerals that are indispensable to global industries ranging from electric vehicle batteries to semiconductors.
Tshisekedi, however, drew a line, stating that while Congo is open to partnerships, it will not allow external actors to dictate terms over its resources.
“We will be working on developing the mining value chain and infrastructure, particularly in energy,” he said, adding that Kinshasa has already signed a strategic partnership with China and is negotiating a similar arrangement with the United States.
External Mediation: Beyond the U.S.
The United States is not the only foreign power shaping Congo’s fragile peace process. Earlier this year, Qatar brokered surprise talks between Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, which briefly revived hopes of a ceasefire.
The United Arab Emirates has also sought to play a quiet but influential role in de-escalating tensions, leveraging its growing economic and security ties across Africa.
These interventions underscore the international dimension of the conflict, where competing global powers view Congo not only through the prism of security but also through the strategic lens of its mineral wealth.
Despite U.S. mediation, progress has been minimal.
Reuters quoted Congolese officials as saying the deal’s success depends on Rwanda halting its backing of M23.
Kinshasa accuses Kigali of continuing to arm and support the group while pretending to scale back involvement. Rwanda, in turn, denies the allegations, insisting its actions are defensive.
Direct talks between Congo and M23, facilitated after Qatari mediation, were supposed to yield a peace agreement by August 18, but the deadline passed without resolution. M23 has demanded the release of prisoners before further negotiations, while Kinshasa has insisted that any exchange must follow a formal agreement.
Tshisekedi confirmed some progress on a potential prisoner swap, noting that the Red Cross has been engaged to facilitate the process.
Minerals, Mediation, and the Unfinished Deal
While the United States frames its involvement as a path toward stability and investment, Congo remains cautious, wary of repeating past experiences where foreign powers extracted wealth without benefiting ordinary citizens.
As long as Rwanda’s alleged support for M23 continues and external powers pursue competing agendas in Congo’s mining sector, the U.S.-mediated deal is unlikely to end the violence.
Instead, the conflict risks becoming another example of how resource wealth fuels instability rather than development.
