KINSHASA, DR Congo
Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi has urged the US to purchase strategic raw materials directly from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), calling it the "true owner" of the resources, rather than Rwanda, which he accused of looting them through violence against the Congolese people.
Tshisekedi extended the offer
to the US first, stating that "what has been hidden and maintained for 30
years has just been revealed by the Trump administration," presidential
spokesperson Tina Salama said Sunday on X.
She added that the proposal is
also open to European nations and other buyers currently sourcing materials
from Rwanda, warning that “receiving stolen goods will become increasingly
complicated.”
Her remarks come after the US
imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s State Minister for Regional Integration James
Kabarebe and an M23 spokesperson over their alleged roles in escalating the
conflict in eastern Congo.
The M23, one of several armed
groups operating in eastern DRC, resurfaced in late 2021 and last week captured
the city of Bukavu after seizing Goma in January. At least 3,000 people,
including peacekeepers, have been killed, and thousands more displaced in the
fighting around Goma.
The rebels are now reportedly
advancing toward Uvira, a city less than 30 km from Burundi’s economic capital,
Bujumbura.
Kinshasa has long accused
Rwanda of backing the M23 and deploying troops in eastern DRC to support the
rebels -- allegations that Kigali has repeatedly denied.
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