President of Congo seeks Trump’s help to end conflict, offers $20 trillion in minerals

In a move that’s raising eyebrows worldwide, the President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially reached out to former President Donald Trump for assistance in restoring peace to the conflict-ridden nation. This is no ordinary request; the DRC, with its enormous mineral wealth, is offering something far more valuable than just gratitude. President Félix Tshisekedi is offering access to the country’s vast resources—estimated to be worth over $20 trillion—as a means to strike a deal.

The DRC is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of minerals, with crucial resources like cobalt, copper, and lithium in high demand globally, especially for the tech and renewable energy industries. Tshisekedi knows the value of these assets and is leveraging them strategically. He’s not just asking for military intervention or aid—he’s offering a partnership that could fundamentally shift the global economic balance. The M23 insurgency, which is backed by Rwanda, has caused chaos in the eastern provinces, displacing over 800,000 people and putting a strain on the country’s infrastructure and resources.

Trump, known for his bold and unpredictable foreign policy moves, has not yet commented on the proposal. That silence is telling; it suggests he may be weighing the implications of such a move, especially in the context of global competition for resources. The DRC’s offer of mineral wealth could be tempting, but it also comes with significant risks. Engaging with the DRC might lead to long-term geopolitical shifts in U.S.-Africa relations, especially as China and other nations scramble to secure critical resources. The question is whether Trump, known for his unorthodox diplomatic style, will seize the opportunity to reshape his legacy on the global stage.

For Tshisekedi, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The violence in the DRC isn’t just a local issue—it’s a global one, with ramifications for international trade and security. By offering access to minerals that power everything from electric cars to smartphones, Tshisekedi is signaling that this conflict has a much larger geopolitical footprint than many realize. The future of this proposal remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the DRC’s mineral resources could prove to be a game-changer in the quest for global influence.

Sources:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/african-war-torn-nation-invokes-203728440.html

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-19/trump-drc-cobalt-mining-rare-earth-minerals-china/105063278