Nangaa Challenges US-DRC Minerals Partnership As Congo Plans Parliamentary Vote After Goma Anniversary
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Corneille Nangaa, head of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) coalition that includes the M23 group, criticised a minerals-related agreement between Kinshasa and Washington, saying it was flawed and unconstitutional.
He was referring to a strategic partnership signed in Washington on Dec. 4 under which the United States would gain greater access to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s critical minerals in exchange for investment and security cooperation.
Speaking to Reuters in Goma, Nangaa said the plan lacked transparency and had legal shortcomings, citing what he described as opaque negotiations and procedural flaws that violated the constitution and the law.
Nangaa argued the deal could face disputes because many mining sites in eastern Congo may already have been granted to other partners, and he said most key minerals in the east, including coltan, are in areas held by M23, including major zones such as Rubaya.
The Congolese presidency rejected Nangaa’s accusations as speculative, saying the partnership falls within the constitutional prerogatives of the elected president and government and that any cooperation would respect valid contracts and comply with mining regulations.
Congo’s government has said the partnership will be presented to lawmakers for approval in March, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Daniel Mukoko Samba told Reuters the government expects parliamentary approval given its majority.
