This article discusses the March 5, 2025, Congo War Security Review, highlighting DRC President Félix Tshisekedi’s efforts to secure military assistance through strategic mineral partnerships with the United States and UAE amidst ongoing tranquility in various conflict zones.
The Congo War Security Review provides an essential analysis concerning the ongoing conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) between the M23 group and pro-government forces, with updates released every weekday. This review also includes shapefiles that can be requested via email. As of March 5, 2025, no significant incidents were reported across various sectors, including Lubero, Butembo, Beni, and Bunia, with similar reports for the southern and northwest axes, indicating a temporary lull in notable violence in these regions.
Significantly, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi has initiated discussions with figures from his inner circle and industry officials concerning strategic mineral partnerships with the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These negotiations are purported to involve military assistance in exchange for access to DRC’s mineral wealth. There are reports of a potential agreement with the UAE concerning copper and cobalt mining in Lualaba province, yet current Chinese dominance in the sector presents a challenge to these arrangements.
In a February 22 interview, President Tshisekedi expressed the potential economic benefits for the US and the EU stemming from investment in DRC’s mineral industry. A senior DRC official also supported a proposal to grant US firms mineral extraction rights in return for military support. Proposed initiatives include U.S. involvement in developing the Banana Port and establishing a joint US-DRC mineral stockpile, drawing parallels to a critical minerals agreement between the US and Ukraine.
Furthermore, the DRC’s strategic maneuvers resemble prior successful arrangements it established with the UAE regarding infrastructure investment and military assistance. This indicates a broader trend of leveraging natural resources for security support, reflecting similar international practices observed in geopolitical considerations.
In summary, the Congo War Security Review highlights strategic shifts in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as President Tshisekedi actively seeks international support against the M23 conflict. Through discussions with the UAE and United States, Tshisekedi is exploring ways to use the DRC’s vast mineral wealth to secure military aid. Despite the current stability in various conflict zones, ongoing negotiations for mineral partnerships underscore the complex interplay of resources and security in the region.
Original Source: www.criticalthreats.org
