Negotiators in the Democratic Republic of the Congo hope that a mineral agreement with the USA can be completed before the end of the month, sources tell Financial Times.
The hope is that the agreement will result in the USA supporting the country against the M23 militia, backed by Rwanda, while also opening up for American investments in the mineral-rich country.
The agreement is also expected to pave the way for a peace agreement with Rwanda and put an end to the long-standing war in the eastern parts of the country where the minerals have been one of the conflict issues.
The sources state, however, that crucial questions still need to be resolved for the agreement to be finalized. It has previously been revealed that new points have been added to the agreement. Among these, the agreement opens up for mineral exports to Rwanda, where they will also be able to be refined.
