Washington/Kinshasa — Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi has held talks with senior U.S. lawmakers in Washington, seeking support for a fragile peace process in the country’s conflict-hit east and for deeper cooperation on the supply of minerals vital to the global energy transition.
Tshisekedi met the chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Mast, alongside Representatives Chris Smith, Sarah Jacobs and Gregory Meeks, according to a statement from the Congolese presidency.
The discussions focused on the security crisis in eastern Congo, the implementation of the Washington peace agreement, and prospects for a broader strategic partnership between Kinshasa and Washington.
Officials reviewed “the effective respect of commitments arising from the Washington peace agreement,” the protection of civilians, and Congo’s role in stabilizing the Great Lakes region and securing supply chains for critical minerals essential to the global energy transition, the presidency said.
Tshisekedi also highlighted what he described as the “direct involvement” of U.S. President Donald Trump in creating the political conditions that led to the signing of the Washington accord.
“The head of state stressed that durable peace rests on the rigorous execution of the commitments made by all parties,” the statement issued Thursday said, adding that Congo seeks “balanced partnerships based on mutual respect and the equitable sharing of benefits.”
Eastern Congo has been plagued by armed conflict for decades, with renewed fighting in recent years involving the M23 rebel group and other militias. The violence has displaced more than 7 million people, according to United Nations estimates, creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Washington has sought to position itself as a diplomatic and economic partner in efforts to stabilize the region, amid growing competition with China for access to strategic minerals.
The Washington peace framework, backed by the U.S. and regional actors, aims to secure ceasefires, protect civilians, and restore state authority in mineral-rich eastern provinces.
Congo holds some of the world’s largest reserves of cobalt and copper, key inputs for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. The country accounts for roughly 70% of global cobalt production and is Africa’s biggest copper producer.
U.S. and European policymakers have stepped up engagement with Kinshasa as part of efforts to diversify supply chains away from China, which dominates the processing of many critical minerals.
Tshisekedi’s government has also been pursuing new trade and investment partnerships, including recent agreements with Gulf states and Western partners, aimed at boosting local mineral processing and increasing state revenues.
The meeting in Washington, described by the presidency as cordial and constructive, underscored Congo’s push to turn its ties with the U.S. into a strategic partnership focused on peace, stability and economic development, while safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.
Tshisekedi met the chairman of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Mast, alongside Representatives Chris Smith, Sarah Jacobs and Gregory Meeks, according to a statement from the Congolese presidency.
The discussions focused on the security crisis in eastern Congo, the implementation of the Washington peace agreement, and prospects for a broader strategic partnership between Kinshasa and Washington.
Officials reviewed “the effective respect of commitments arising from the Washington peace agreement,” the protection of civilians, and Congo’s role in stabilizing the Great Lakes region and securing supply chains for critical minerals essential to the global energy transition, the presidency said.
Tshisekedi also highlighted what he described as the “direct involvement” of U.S. President Donald Trump in creating the political conditions that led to the signing of the Washington accord.
“The head of state stressed that durable peace rests on the rigorous execution of the commitments made by all parties,” the statement issued Thursday said, adding that Congo seeks “balanced partnerships based on mutual respect and the equitable sharing of benefits.”
Eastern Congo has been plagued by armed conflict for decades, with renewed fighting in recent years involving the M23 rebel group and other militias. The violence has displaced more than 7 million people, according to United Nations estimates, creating one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises.
Washington has sought to position itself as a diplomatic and economic partner in efforts to stabilize the region, amid growing competition with China for access to strategic minerals.
The Washington peace framework, backed by the U.S. and regional actors, aims to secure ceasefires, protect civilians, and restore state authority in mineral-rich eastern provinces.
Congo holds some of the world’s largest reserves of cobalt and copper, key inputs for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy technologies. The country accounts for roughly 70% of global cobalt production and is Africa’s biggest copper producer.
U.S. and European policymakers have stepped up engagement with Kinshasa as part of efforts to diversify supply chains away from China, which dominates the processing of many critical minerals.
Tshisekedi’s government has also been pursuing new trade and investment partnerships, including recent agreements with Gulf states and Western partners, aimed at boosting local mineral processing and increasing state revenues.
The meeting in Washington, described by the presidency as cordial and constructive, underscored Congo’s push to turn its ties with the U.S. into a strategic partnership focused on peace, stability and economic development, while safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity.