President Félix Tshisekedi met with U.S. lawmaker Ronny Jackson to discuss the conflict in eastern Congo and opportunities for American investment. The Congolese presidency confirmed the meeting.
Tshisekedi’s government is battling the M23 rebel group, which has seized key areas in the east. Kinshasa accuses Rwanda of backing the rebels, a claim Kigali denies. To address the crisis, Congo will send a delegation to peace talks in Angola on Tuesday.
Jackson, described as a “special envoy” for former U.S. President Donald Trump, highlighted the need for stability. “We want to work so that American companies can come and invest in the DRC. And to do that, we have to make sure that there is a peaceful environment,” he said.
The meeting follows Washington’s recent interest in critical minerals partnerships with Congo. The country holds vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, and uranium, which are crucial for global technology. Earlier this year, a Congolese lawmaker approached U.S. officials with a minerals-for-security proposal. However, no formal agreement has been announced.
Despite Congo’s rich resources, experts warn of challenges for U.S. investors. Issues such as insecurity, weak infrastructure, corruption, and China’s dominance in mining pose obstacles. According to Byron Cabrol, a senior Africa analyst at Dragonfly, these factors could deter American companies.
The presidency’s statement did not mention minerals directly. However, the talks reflect growing global interest in Congo’s economy. The outcome of the Angola peace talks could impact both security and investment prospects.