DR Congo Refuses to “Auction” Minerals

(MENAFN) Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi stated that his administration will not “auction” the nation’s mineral resources to the US, as part of Washington’s attempts to resolve the long-standing violence in the eastern provinces, a news outlet reported on Monday.

Tshisekedi reportedly made these comments while speaking to reporters in New York.

His office noted that he also met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to discuss the ongoing peace process in DR Congo.

Since January, fighting between the M23 rebel group and government forces has intensified in Congo’s mineral-abundant east.

The insurgents have captured key mining centers, including Goma, the capital of North Kivu, and Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, reportedly resulting in thousands of deaths.

In June, DR Congo reached an agreement with Rwanda, which Kinshasa accuses of supplying weapons to the rebels—a claim that Kigali denies. US President Donald Trump, whose administration facilitated the pact, indicated that the deal, which includes a joint security mechanism, also provides Washington with rights to local mineral resources.

The agreement additionally calls for a 90-day withdrawal of Rwandan troops from DR Congo and outlines measures for disarmament and reintegration.

On Monday, Tshisekedi emphasized that, despite these efforts, the agreement has not succeeded in halting the clashes, though he expressed gratitude to Trump for his attempts to end the violence.

MENAFN25092025000045017167ID1110110932