Congo’s $20 Trillion Gamble: President Tshisekedi Offers Trump a Minerals-for-Peace Deal to End Bloodshed and Counter China’s Dominance

In a bold move that could reshape global geopolitics and the race for critical minerals, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi has proposed a high-stakes deal to U.S. President Donald Trump: a strategic minerals partnership in exchange for a U.S.-backed security agreement to quell violent rebels ravaging the war-torn nation.

The offer, detailed in a February letter obtained by The Wall Street Journal, positions the DRC’s vast mineral wealth—valued at over $20 trillion—as a bargaining chip to secure American military support against the Rwandan-backed M23 rebel group. The deal could also challenge China’s growing dominance in the region, where it currently controls the DRC’s lucrative cobalt mines.

“Your election has ushered in the golden age for America,” Tshisekedi wrote to Trump, according to the report. “Our partnership would provide the U.S. with a strategic advantage by securing critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, copper, and tantalum from the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

The DRC is the world’s largest producer of cobalt, a mineral essential for electric vehicle batteries, smartphones, and aerospace technology. It also holds vast reserves of gold, copper, and lithium, making it a linchpin in the global transition to green energy and advanced technology. However, the country’s mineral wealth has long been a source of conflict, with armed groups and foreign powers vying for control.

A Desperate Bid for Peace

Tshisekedi’s proposal seeks to formalize a security pact that would enable the Congolese army to defeat the M23 rebels, who have seized key cities in the mineral-rich eastern region. The rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, have intensified their offensive in recent months, displacing thousands and exacerbating one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian crises.

“We want to extract these minerals but also process them, as this would create a lot of jobs,” Tshisekedi told Fox News’ Bret Baier in an exclusive interview. “And we want a partnership that will provide lasting peace and stability for our country, which we desperately need.”

The Congolese president’s appeal comes amid escalating violence, including the deaths of 13 UN peacekeepers and foreign soldiers in recent clashes. The M23’s capture of Goma, the capital of North Kivu province, in January marked a significant escalation in the conflict, raising fears of a broader regional war.

China’s Shadow Looms Large

China’s entrenched presence in the DRC complicates the proposed deal. Beijing currently dominates the country’s cobalt mining sector, a critical component of its global supply chain for electronics and electric vehicles. Tshisekedi, however, downplayed concerns about China’s influence during his Fox News interview, emphasizing the need for a renewed U.S. presence in Africa.

“Nature abhors a vacuum, as the saying goes,” Tshisekedi said. “It’s not that China is waxing in Africa. It’s more that America is waning in Africa… and we would be very happy to have our American friends here, who used to be more present than China in the ‘70s and ‘80s.”

A Controversial Ally: Erik Prince in the Mix

Adding another layer of intrigue, Tshisekedi is reportedly in talks with Erik Prince, founder of the controversial private military firm formerly known as Blackwater and a close ally of Trump. Prince’s potential involvement raises questions about the role of private military contractors in the DRC’s conflict and the ethical implications of such a partnership.

A Global Power Play

The proposed deal underscores the DRC’s strategic importance in the global competition for critical minerals. It also highlights the shifting dynamics of U.S. foreign policy under a potential Trump administration, which has previously sought to secure mineral deals with resource-rich nations like Ukraine. However, the Ukraine deal was shelved following a tense meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this year.

As the DRC grapples with widespread violence, disease, and displacement, Tshisekedi’s offer represents a desperate bid to end decades of bloodshed and unlock the nation’s vast economic potential. But with China’s entrenched interests, the complexities of regional conflicts, and the ethical dilemmas surrounding private military involvement, the path to peace and prosperity remains fraught with challenges.

For now, the ball is in Washington’s court. Will the U.S. seize the opportunity to secure critical minerals and stabilize a war-torn nation, or will it cede ground to China in one of the world’s most resource-rich regions? The answer could redefine the global balance of power.