Rwanda-Backed M23 Seizes Key DRC Cities, Kinshasa Offers U.S. Minerals-for-Security Deal Amid Escalating Conflict

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Updated Mar 13, 2025, 01:14 AM

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is facing escalating tensions as the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, along with its allied Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), has seized control of key cities in eastern Congo, including Goma and Bukavu, which was captured in February. The group has established a proto-state, controlling a territory comparable to the size of Connecticut, and is accused of committing human rights abuses, including targeting journalists, activists, and critics. Over three million people have been displaced as a result of the conflict. Kinshasa, struggling to regain control, has reportedly approached the United States for a minerals-for-security deal. The proposal would grant the U.S. exclusive access to DRC's vast reserves of critical minerals, such as cobalt and lithium, essential for electric vehicle batteries and advanced technologies, in exchange for military assistance to combat the M23 rebellion. The U.S. State Department has confirmed its openness to exploring such a partnership. President Trump has appointed Massad Boulos as an envoy to the Great Lakes region to facilitate discussions. Rwanda denies direct involvement in supporting M23, but international observers, including the U.N., have accused Kigali of backing the group to secure its economic and geopolitical interests in the region. The DRC government is also seeking to shift away from Chinese influence by strengthening ties with Western powers.

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#Democratic Republic of Congo #DRC #Rwanda #M23 #Alliance Fleuve Congo #AFC #Congo #Goma #Bukavu #Connecticut #Kinshasa #United States #Trump #Massad Boulos #Great Lakes #Kigali #Chinese #Western powers

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Sources

responsiblestatecraft.org(2)bloomberg.com(2)rfi.fr(2)france24.com(2)

Responsible Statecraft

@RStatecraft

Rwanda’s backing of M23 militias is redrawing borders in eastern DRC, with Kinshasa scrambling to secure Western support by offering access to its vast mineral wealth. The region risks sliding into wider conflict. #DRCConflict https://t.co/FoaD2yKoVP

Kenneth Roth

@KenRoth

Covering up their atrocities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group and the its allies have threatened, detained, and attacked journalists, critics, and civil society activists since capturing Goma in January. https://t.co/qPwZh3Fwa5

Bloomberg Asia

@BloombergAsia

Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group consolidates control over the two largest cities in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, effectively setting up a proto-state https://t.co/l8pckVNLZ2