US and DR Congo Discuss Minerals-for-Security Deal Amid Regional Instability

The proposed partnership would grant the US access to critical minerals in exchange for military support to combat the M23 rebellion in the DRC.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has proposed a minerals-for-security deal to the United States, offering access to its rich reserves of cobalt, lithium, and other critical minerals in exchange for military aid.
The US State Department confirmed openness to the partnership, citing the DRC's significant share of minerals vital for advanced technologies like electric vehicle batteries.
The M23 rebel group, allegedly supported by Rwanda, has seized significant territory in the DRC's mineral-rich eastern region, intensifying the conflict and prompting the DRC to seek international support.
The deal could reduce the US's reliance on Chinese-dominated supply chains, as China currently controls much of the DRC's mining sector through state-owned companies.
Concerns about corruption, environmental impact, and the volatile political and security situation in the DRC pose significant challenges to finalizing the agreement.