Title: President Félix Tshisekedi strengthens economic partnerships during his visit to the United States
Introduction :
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Félix Tshisekedi, is currently visiting the United States as part of the seventy-eighth General Assembly of the United Nations (UN). During his stay, President Tshisekedi had the opportunity to meet the American Under-Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment, José W. Fernandez. Their discussion mainly focused on the concretization of a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing the production of battery precursors in the DRC and the local processing of strategic minerals. This meeting illustrates President Tshisekedi’s efforts to strengthen economic partnerships and attract foreign investment in the DRC.
Development :
According to the Presidency of the DRC, the memorandum of understanding signed between the DRC, Zambia and the United States aims to develop the production of battery precursors in the DRC. The DRC is one of the world’s leading producers of minerals needed to make batteries, such as cobalt and lithium. By promoting the local processing of these minerals, the DRC seeks to stimulate its economy and create jobs in the battery sector. This initiative is part of President Tshisekedi’s desire to diversify the Congolese economy and reduce the country’s dependence on the export of raw materials.
In addition to the production of battery precursors, the meeting between President Tshisekedi and the US Deputy Secretary of State also addressed the issue of the exploitation of other precious minerals such as copper, palladium and gallium. The DRC has vast reserves of these minerals, making it a key player in the global market. Cooperation between the DRC and the United States in the field of mining could open new economic prospects for the country.
It should also be noted that the meeting between President Tshisekedi and the American Deputy Secretary of State emphasized the need to restore peace and stability in the East of the DRC. The region has long been the scene of armed conflict and political instability, which has harmed its economic development. The support of the United States in these stabilization efforts is therefore of great importance to President Tshisekedi.
Conclusion :
President Félix Tshisekedi’s visit to the United States marks an important step in his desire to strengthen economic partnerships and attract foreign investment in the DRC. The discussion with the US Deputy Secretary of State provided an opportunity to discuss the concretization of a memorandum of understanding aimed at developing the production of battery precursors in the DRC, as well as other opportunities in the field of exploitation mining. This meeting demonstrates President Tshisekedi’s determination to diversify the Congolese economy and promote the local processing of natural resources. It also highlights the importance of stabilizing the east of the DRC to promote the economic development of the country.