The Democratic Republic of Congo hopes to secure American military aid in exchange to thwart advances by militants

The US is exploring a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to access its natural resources in exchange for American security assistance, the Financial Times has reported.

Violence escalated in the resource-rich country's eastern provinces in January, with M23 group militants seizing several key cities. Last month, Prime Minister Judith Suminwa estimated that the conflict had caused 7,000 fatalities.

The DRC has repeatedly accused neighboring Rwanda of backing the militants, claims that have been echoed by the West. Rwanda has consistently denied the allegations.

On Saturday, the FT cited unnamed sources as saying that US-DRC discussions about a potential mineral deal have intensified recently, "although several obstacles remain" and they are "at a relatively early stage."

Last month, Tina Salama, a spokesperson of DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, wrote on X that Kinshasa "invites the USA, whose companies source strategic raw materials from Rwanda, materials that are looted from the DRC and smuggled to Rwanda while our populations are massacred, to purchase them directly from us the rightful owners." Rwanda has denied any involvement in mineral smuggling.

Prior to that, DRC Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi sent a letter to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that "The United States is well-positioned to forge an enduring partnership with the DRC - a nation that possesses over $24 trillion in untapped reserves of critical minerals."

Among the resources mentioned are cobalt, which is of particular interest to the aerospace and defense sectors, as well as of lithium, tantalum, and uranium.

Kinshasa would expect Washington to step up military cooperation, as well as efforts to train and equip the DCR military, Kalambayi stated.

Since assuming office in January, US President Donald Trump has expressed interest in gaining access to overseas deposits of crucial minerals, most notably in Greenland and Ukraine.

A minerals deal with Kiev was expected to be signed last week. However, a heated exchange between Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and Trump at the White House put the process on hold. Trump accused Zelensky of disrespect, ingratitude for past US aid, reluctance to seek peace with Russia, and "gambling with World War III." He was asked to leave and return only when he was ready for serious talks.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Zelensky indicated that Ukraine was prepared to proceed with the arrangement.