US Role Emerges in Congo-Rwanda Minerals Revamp Under Draft Agreement

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are poised to collaborate with third-party nations, including the United States, in a bid to overhaul their mineral supply chains and instigate reforms. This move comes in light of the pursuit to stimulate investment in the aftermath of a peace agreement established in Washington.

The countries have reached a mutual agreement on the draft framework, which forms part of the peace deal. The said draft is currently under scrutiny by various stakeholders, including representatives from the private sector, multilateral banks, and donor agencies from other nations. Meetings between Congo and Rwanda are expected to occur in early October to finalize the framework, with official signing by heads of state at a later date. This development follows earlier reports that the countries agreed to a peace deal in Washington in June, facilitated by the administration of US President Donald Trump.

The agreement intends to cease the conflict that has claimed numerous lives and attract substantial Western investment to a region abundant in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium. The draft framework expands on an earlier outline from August, detailing steps for implementation and coordination. The previously outlined plan sought cooperation in various sectors, including energy, infrastructure, mineral supply chains, national parks, and public health.

According to the draft, the involved parties would commit to collaborating with the United States and other international partners to develop additional regulatory initiatives and reforms. These measures aim to “de-risk private sector investment cost-effectively,” curtail illicit trade, and enhance transparency.

The draft also proposes the adoption of external transparency mechanisms, such as implementing guidelines from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Further, it recommends third-party inspection of mining sites and developing cross-border special economic zones with private sector partners.

In June, Kinshasa and Kigali had pledged, as part of the Washington deal, to launch a regional economic integration framework within 90 days. This framework would oversee Rwandan troops’ withdrawal from eastern Congo within 90 days under a 2024 agreement. Concurrently, Congolese military operations targeting Rwanda’s former army remnants and militias involved in the 1994 genocide are expected to conclude.

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According to a Western diplomat, one of the primary hindrances to finalizing the regional agreement is the stalling of other peace processes. The diplomat also highlighted that the Congolese government’s mediation efforts with the M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, are struggling to make progress, causing further complications in the security scenario.

This month, a Congolese official stated that economic cooperation with Rwanda is not feasible as long as its army occupies part of Congo’s territory. The official alluded to the plundering of its mineral wealth as a significant factor in the ongoing conflict with M23 rebels in eastern Congo.

In the outline agreed upon last month, Rwanda and Congo each affirmed their “full, sovereign control” over the exploitation, processing, and export of their natural resources. They also acknowledged the importance of developing mineral processing and transformation capacity within each country. Moreover, both countries pledged to ensure that the mineral trade no longer funds armed groups and committed to establishing a world-class industrial mining sector in the region.

As more facts become available, we will continue to monitor this significant development. The importance of staying informed and understanding the complexities of such negotiations cannot be overstated.