FT has learned about the resumption of US negotiations on access to Congo's mineral resources

The United States has resumed negotiations with representatives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on granting access to its mineral resources. This was reported on March 8 by the Financial Times (FT) newspaper.

According to public sources, DR Congo has huge reserves of copper, cobalt and uranium.

"The United States is open to discussing partnerships in this sector that are consistent with the program of the administration of [US President Donald] Trump: "America first," said an unnamed representative of the US State Department.

According to him, the bilateral partnership will help strengthen the economies of both the United States and the DRC, as well as create highly skilled jobs and integrate the republic into global and regional supply chains.

It is expected that if American companies are allowed to extract rare earth metals in the territory of the republic, Washington will begin training and equipping the DRC army, clarifiesГазета.Ru ".

On the brink of a major war: Rwanda and DR Congo fight over resources

The current conflict could affect the whole of Africa and affect the interests of Western countries

The situation in DR Congo worsened after the Government severed diplomatic relations with Rwanda on January 26. In addition, the country was accused of supporting the rebels who launched an offensive on the city of Goma.

On February 22, the Congolese rebel coalition of the Congo River Alliance (AFC), which includes the M23 group (March 23 Movement), declared its readiness for negotiations to resolve the conflict in the east of the DRC. At the same time, the rebels stressed that they reserve the right to protect civilians.