In a bold move, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has unveiled a new strategy to end decades of violence in eastern Congo. Using its unparalleled mineral resources - cobalt, lithium and coltan - as a bargaining chip, President Félix Tshisekedi is positioning the DRC as a proactive player in global geopolitics. The proposal: access to these critical raw materials in exchange for U.S. support in ensuring security and forging a peace agreement with Rwanda. This agreement, to be signed in Washington on June 27, 2025, marks a turning point in Congo's approach to peace: no longer as a victim, but as a strategic partner in a resource-driven world.
A strategic exchange
The DRC holds 70% of the world's cobalt reserves and significant amounts of lithium and coltan, essential for batteries and the energy transition. But eastern Congo, where these minerals are mined, remains plagued by armed groups, notably M23, which is reportedly backed by Rwanda. In 2025, the conflict escalated, with M23 taking Goma and Bukavu, displacing 1 million people and leaving 21 million in need of humanitarian aid, according to Human Rights Watch. For Kinshasa, security is a prerequisite for economic sovereignty. In March 2025, Tshisekedi approached the United States with a proposal: access to Congolese minerals in exchange for diplomatic and military support to bring about peace. Reuters reported that the U.S., concerned about China's dominance in Congo's mining sector, was open to partnerships. A draft MoU, as reported by the Financial Times, links economic cooperation to peace implementation, including border monitoring and the dismantling of militias such as the FDLR, a key demand of Rwanda.
Peace negotiations in Washington
The negotiations, coordinated by the U.S. with Qatar as an observer, culminated in a draft peace agreement in June 2025. According to a U.S. Department of State press briefing (March 2025), the agreement includes agreements on the withdrawal of Rwandan troops, economic cooperation through the processing of Congolese minerals in Rwanda, and joint border security. The agreement will be signed June 27 in the presence of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
This diplomatic breakthrough differs from previous agreements, such as Lusaka (1999) and Goma (2008), which failed due to lack of international commitment and weak implementation. Tshisekedi's strategy uses economic incentives to engage major powers like the U.S., while positioning the DRC as a strategic player in global demand for commodities.
Geopolitical and local implications
The U.S. involvement reflects a broader strategy to counter China's grip on Congo's minerals (80% of cobalt production), as highlighted by CNBC and Bloomberg. U.S. International Development Finance Corporation investments in the Lobito corridor and KoBold Metals' AI-driven mining projects underscore this ambition. However, the shift toward U.S. influence may cause tensions with China.
For the Congolese people, the benefits remain uncertain. Historically, elites and foreign companies benefited from the mineral wealth, while local communities saw little. UN reports warn that corruption and weak governance could undermine implementation of the agreement. In addition, Rwanda's demand to dismantle the FDLR requires a complex military and political effort.
A new blueprint?
Tshisekedi's approach - peace as an economic transaction - offers a possible blueprint for other resource-rich, conflict-prone countries such as Zambia or Bolivia. By linking minerals to security, Congo is rewriting the rules of international diplomacy. Yet risks remain high: without effective implementation, militias may regroup, and without inclusive benefit sharing, the population will see little of the peace.
The June 27 agreement is more than a diplomatic milestone. It is a Congolese plan, born of necessity, driven by strategy, and executed with a keen sense of global priorities. While the world watches, Congo, for the first time in a long time, is setting the stakes itself.
