US President Donald Trump is spearheading a peace initiative in the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aimed at ending decades of violence in the country’s eastern region. Backed by commercial interests and regional diplomacy, the Trump administration is pushing a peace deal involving DRC and neighbouring Rwanda a long-time adversary in the conflict to secure stability and open doors for US mineral investments.
At the heart of the effort lies DRC’s staggering $25 trillion in untapped mineral wealth, including cobalt, lithium, and tantalum vital resources for powering AI technologies, electric vehicles, and military equipment. With China already dominating the market, the US sees the peace deal as an opportunity to catch up and secure critical supply chains.
Trump’s strategy, described by experts as “peace through deal-making,” combines diplomacy with economic incentive. Hosting leaders Félix Tshisekedi of DRC and Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Trump seeks to not only resolve the conflict but also lock in mineral access for US firms. “We’re getting, for the United States, a lot of the mineral rights from the Congo,” Trump remarked, framing the initiative as both a diplomatic and economic win.
However, critics warn of potential pitfalls. Prof Hanri Mostert from the University of Cape Town cautions that DRC risks compromising its sovereignty, entering long-term deals in exchange for vague security guarantees. She draws parallels with China’s infrastructure-for-resources model in Angola, where the host nation saw minimal long-term benefit.
The peace process, supported by Qatar on domestic issues and the US on regional mediation, has achieved rapid progress. A ceasefire is in place, and a comprehensive peace agreement with the M23 rebel group is expected by August 18. Yet challenges remain. The M23 resists territorial withdrawal, and Rwanda insists on neutralising the FDLR militia before pulling out troops.
While the Trump-led initiative has accelerated diplomacy in a long-stalemated conflict, lasting peace and profitable mineral extraction will depend on whether the mediation addresses deep-rooted historical grievances, power-sharing dynamics, and the voices of affected communities. For the US, peace may be the key to minerals; for the DRC, peace must mean more than just another transaction.
