African Hub misquoted President Tshisekedi regarding DRC mineral resources and military intervention. Tshisekedi did not solicit military aid, instead seeking investments to stabilize the DRC. His spokesperson clarified the offer is open to international companies while accusing Rwanda of resource exploitation. International sanctions on Rwanda reflect growing pressure due to these accusations.
African Hub, a prominent X content creator with over 800,000 followers, inaccurately attributed a quote to President Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The post suggested that President Tshisekedi requested U.S. military intervention in exchange for control over the nation’s vast mineral resources, a claim that is misleading. This erroneous information gained significant traction online, stemming from a February 20 interview Tshisekedi gave to The New York Times.
In his interview, President Tshisekedi did not propose any military assistance or hand over control of the DRC’s mineral resources to the U.S. Instead, he expressed a desire for international pressure on Rwanda and investments from Western nations to foster stability in the conflict-ridden DRC. Following the social media uproar, Tina Salama, the presidential spokesperson, issued a clarification on X.
Salama articulated, “Setting the record straight: President Tshisekedi invites the USA, whose companies source strategic raw materials from Rwanda — materials looted from the DRC and smuggled through Rwanda while our populations are massacred — to purchase them directly from us, the rightful owners.” This statement directly counters the assertions made by African Hub and clarifies the situation regarding DRC’s mineral resources.
The eastern regions of the DRC are currently embroiled in violence due to the M23 rebels, who are believed to be backed by Rwanda and control substantial areas of the country. The DRC is home to essential minerals like coltan and cobalt, which are vital for technology industries, including electronics and electric vehicles. Salama further noted that Tshisekedi’s invitation was not exclusive to American companies but also extended to European nations accessing DRC resources through Rwanda.
In February 2024, the European Union arranged a $935 million agreement with Rwanda for various minerals, raising concerns about the legality of this trade. President Tshisekedi has accused Rwanda of exploiting DRC’s resources through the M23 insurgents, leading to increased international scrutiny. In reaction to these allegations, the EU suspended its deal with Rwanda and is considering sanctions due to Kigali’s involvement in the conflict.
Additionally, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on Rwanda and put a stop to bilateral financial assistance. These sanctions include a suspension of defense training support and a reevaluation of export licenses for the Rwandan Defense Force. The U.S. Treasury has also taken action by sanctioning James Kabarebe, a Rwandan official tied to support for the M23 rebels.
In summary, President Tshisekedi of the DRC has not requested military intervention nor offered control over the country’s natural resources. His call for international companies to procure minerals directly from the DRC seeks to address the illegal trade involving Rwanda. Clarifications from his spokesperson highlight the inclusive nature of this mineral offer, aimed at combating exploitation by external actors.
Original Source: www.voanews.com
