Key Points
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Congo will not auction its mineral resources to any country.
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President Tshisekedi emphasizes Congo’s sovereignty over its mineral wealth.
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The government seeks fair investments, avoiding giveaways or exploitation.
President Felix Tshisekedi has made it clear that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will not sell its mineral resources to the United States or any other country. This shows that the DRC is committed to protecting its natural wealth.
Speaking at a government press briefing Monday in Kinshasa, Tshisekedi emphasized that Congo’s vast reserves of cobalt, copper, and other strategic minerals belong to the Congolese people and must never be treated as commodities for sale in international markets.
Congo’s mineral resources will not be given up
Tshisekedi said, “We are not going to sell our mineral resources to any country, not even the United States.” “These resources are a national treasure, and Congo will have full control over them.”
The DRC has about 70% of the world’s cobalt reserves and a lot of copper deposits. These minerals are very important for batteries in electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. Tshisekedi’s comments come at a time when more and more countries are trying to get their hands on these important minerals.
According to a report by reuters, the president said that he was open to foreign investment, but he stressed that these partnerships must be based on respect for each other and must help Congo reach its development goals. “We want investments that are fair and long-lasting and help our people, not handouts,” he said.
Congo’s mineral resources sovereignty guides how to invest
Antoine Kabamba, the Minister of Mining, talked about the work that is still going on to change Congo’s mining code. The goal is to raise government royalties, make contracts more clear, and hold mining companies to higher environmental and social standards. Kabamba said that these changes will make sure that mining helps local communities and the development of national infrastructure.
Several international mining companies have said they are worried about the stricter rules because they think they will lose money. But Tshisekedi said that the new framework is necessary to stop people from being taken advantage of in the past. Kabamba said, “We want investors who follow the law in Congo and help it grow.”
Congo’s control over its mineral resources is under threat from around the world
The DRC’s mining industry is still haunted by the legacy of decades of resource exploitation and conflict. Tshisekedi admitted that illegal mining and corruption are still problems and promised that the government would do more to stop them. Human rights groups like Global Witness have repeatedly spoken out against mining contracts that aren’t clear and damage to the environment in the area.
Marie Lemba, an economic analyst at the African Economic Forum, said, “Tshisekedi’s stance is part of a growing trend of resource nationalism in Africa, which aims to take back control and make sure that natural wealth benefits citizens.”
As demand for cobalt and copper rises around the world, Tshisekedi’s strong support for Congo’s mineral resource sovereignty puts the country at the center of strategic resource debates. The administration will still have a hard time finding a balance between the interests of investors and national control.
