The price of peace: U.S. strategy and the DRC’s critical minerals - MR Online
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Antonia Baumgartner argues that behind the promise of peace, a set of recent U.S.-backed agreements have reshaped how the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s minerals, infrastructure, and political choices are tied to Washington’s strategic priorities. Under these arrangements, unlicensed and prospective mining areas are pooled into a reserve that gives the United States privileged, priority access to future concessions. As security and diplomatic backing for the Congolese government against Rwanda and M23 becomes linked to mineral access and supply-chain politics, questions are raised about sovereignty, long-term peace and stability.

US President Donald Trump greets DRC President Felix Tshisekedi in the Oval Office at the White House (December 2025, Wikimedia Commons)

Antonia Baumgartner argues that behind the promise of peace, a set of recent U.S.-backed agreements have reshaped how the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s minerals, infrastructure, and political choices are tied to Washington’s strategic priorities. Under these arrangements, unlicensed and prospective mining areas are pooled into a reserve that gives the United States privileged, priority access to future concessions. As security and diplomatic backing for the Congolese government against Rwanda and M23 becomes linked to mineral access and supply-chain politics, questions are raised about sovereignty, long-term peace and stability.

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