African Hub’s claims about President Tshisekedi requesting U.S. military aid for DRC resources are misleading. Tshisekedi’s actual statements seek international investment for stability, not military control. His spokesperson clarified that DRC resources are available for direct purchase by multiple nations, challenging Rwanda’s illicit trade. Sanctions against Rwanda by the UK and the U.S. highlight growing international pressure to address the situation.
Recent claims by African Hub, an influencer with over 800K followers on X, misrepresented remarks by DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, alleging he requested U.S. military aid in exchange for control over the DRC’s natural resources. This assertion is inaccurate and misleading. African Hub’s viral post stemmed from an interview Tshisekedi gave to The New York Times on February 20, where he did not mention any military offers or resource control.
In that interview, President Tshisekedi emphasized his desire for international support to combat instability in the DRC, especially regarding the conflict fueled by Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. His statements focused on urging Western countries to invest in the DRC to foster stability rather than granting foreign military control or resource handovers.
On February 23, Tina Salama, the DRC presidential spokesperson, corrected the misunderstanding on X, clarifying that President Tshisekedi’s invitation was directed towards the U.S. to buy DRC’s strategic resources directly, rather than through Rwandan channels, as many of these resources are illicitly exploited. Salama highlighted the importance of direct engagement with the rightful owners of these resources amidst ongoing conflict.
Salama further stated that Tshisekedi’s proposal was not limited to American companies but also extended to European nations, underscoring that the DRC seeks to ensure equitable trade relations amidst the backdrop of resource looting. The DRC is rich in essential minerals like coltan and cobalt, critical for global high-tech markets and electric vehicles.
The ongoing violence in eastern DRC, exacerbated by the M23 rebels, has compelled international scrutiny on the illegal resource trade linked to Rwanda. In a recent deal, the European Union attempted to secure access to minerals from Rwanda, drawing criticism from Tshisekedi, who accused Rwandan forces of exacerbating the conflict through resource exploitation.
In response to escalating tensions, the EU has re-evaluated its agreements and is now contemplating sanctions against Rwanda for its role in the conflict. On February 25, the UK implemented sanctions on Rwanda and halted its financial aid, marking a significant international response aimed at curbing resource exploitation in the DRC. The U.S. Treasury also reacted by sanctioning Rwandan official James Kabarebe, emphasizing a coordinated international stance against illicit support for the M23 rebels.
In summary, President Tshisekedi has invited international entities to purchase minerals directly from the DRC without offering military intervention or promising resource control. His statements were clarified by his spokesperson, emphasizing that the DRC’s mineral resources are available to global players to counteract illegal trade facilitated by Rwandan involvement. International pressure is mounting to hold Rwanda accountable for its actions related to the DRC’s resources and stability.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
