The President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has offered the United States and the European Union access to its mineral deposits in exchange for security support to deter Rwanda.

The New York Times reported on this.

In order to deter the aggression of the Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement militants, who are increasingly advancing in the east of the country, President Félix Tshisekedi has offered the United States and the European Union access to its mineral resources.

The country has some of the world’s largest mineral reserves, such as gold, tin, and tantalum, which are critical materials for the production of microelectronics and batteries. The country’s coltan deposits account for most of the world’s tantalum production. It also contains more than half of the world’s reserves of cobalt, which is used in electric vehicles.

Tshisekedi is pinning his hopes on Western pressure on Rwanda, hoping that large investments in Congo, including a possible minerals deal, will bring his country much more security and stability. He said the Trump administration had already shown interest in the deal.

China now has far more access to Congo’s mineral wealth than the United States, while the European Union has negotiated with Rwanda, agreeing to provide it with about $935 million in exchange for access to minerals such as tin, tungsten and gold.

Hybrid war with Rwanda

Earlier this year, the paramilitary group of the March 23 Movement, also known as M23, began fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, rapidly seizing key cities and territories.

After taking control of the small town of Sake, the Rwandan-backed militants launched an operation on April 27 to surround Goma, the largest city in the eastern part of the DRC, and Bukavu, the administrative center of South Kivu province.

Having driven government forces out of the besieged border town on January 30, the militants took control of key positions and the Mpumalanga airport, which was located in the middle of a building and was home to troops and Congolese warplanes.

One of the successes of the rebels of the March 23 Movement was the capture of Congolese armored vehicles and artillery, in particular, T-55 tanks, BATT UMG armored vehicles, 122 mm D-30 and M-30 howitzers, as well as the Bastion multiple rocket launcher system, which was purchased in Ukraine.

However, the most significant trophy of the militants was a Su-25 attack aircraft based at the captured airport.

Following these successes, the March 23 Movement continued its advance, attacking the main government positions on the road to Butembo, a town north of Goma.