Trump announces rare earth purchases as Congo, Rwanda sign peace deal

President Donald Trump has confirmed that the United Stateswill invest in the mining sector of the Congo and Rwanda, as the nations signeda peace agreement on Thursday. Trump called it “a great day for Africa” as he witnessed thesigning of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity by President FelixTshisekedi and President Paul Kagame. The U.S.-mediated treaty aims to end a 30-year conflict,with both leaders agreeing to cease hostilities, respect territorial integrity,and end all state support for non-state armed groups. Congo must now disarm and neutralize the FDLR, the Hutumilitia linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide; Rwanda must withdraw its troopsfrom the DRC and halt support for the M23 rebels. Urging the heads of state to return to the path of peace anddevelopment, Trump noted that their countries’ “tremendous wealth,” containedin rare earth elements, should benefit their people. Declaring America’s interest in the minerals, the Presidentannounced that the U.S. would soon send some of its “biggest and greatestcompanies” to Congo and Rwanda. Congo is the world’s biggest cobalt producer and thesecond-largest source of copper, while Eastern Congo is rich in tin, gold,tantalum, and tungsten. “We’re going to take out some of the rare earth, take outsome of the assets and pay,” Trump told the gathering. “Everybody is going tomake a lot of money.” “The responsibility will not lie with President Trump butwith ourselves,” President Kagame averred, adding that though there will be upsand downs on the road ahead, Rwanda will not be found wanting. “This day is the beginning of a new path; a demanding path,”President Tshisekedi said. “Quite difficult, but this is a path where peacewill not just be a wish and aspiration, but a turning point.” “The four separate agreements seek to establish a stronginfrastructure for ongoing cooperation in the economic and security realm,”Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after the instruments were signed. According to Rubio, by addressing the causes of conflict,fostering trust, and advancing economic cooperation, the DRC and Rwanda aretaking bold steps to set up a brighter future for their citizens. The diplomat added that America recognizes the immenseeconomic potential of the Great Lakes region will only be realized through thefull implementation of peace and security commitments. The State Department says Thursday’s event affirms Congo andRwanda’s readiness for peace, security, and economic growth through theRegional Economic Integration Framework. The groundbreaking bilateral initiative unlocks the vasteconomic potential of the Great Lakes region and creates opportunities for theUnited States’ private sector.

Read More