The Biden administration sets conditions for investing in the DRC mining sector
On a visit to the Democratic Republic of Congo, from September 12 to 13, 2022, the emissary of American President Joe Biden, ended his visit after talks with the President of the Republic Félix Antoine Tshisekedi, the two personalities discussed the issues and investment potential of the Congolese mining sector. At the end of his visit to the DR Congo, Amos Hochstein, special coordinator of the President of the United States of America in charge of international energy affairs, made a point of reaffirming the interest that his country attaches to the DRC.
“We have a wide range of interests in Congo. This is why the United States of America wishes to strengthen its relations with the DRC”, he spoke to the press on Tuesday, September 3.
According to him, the purpose of his visit to the DRC revolves mainly around the mining sector, as well as the investment potential that the latter abounds.
“The purpose of my visit is essentially to develop the mining sector,” Amos Hochstein told the press.
He also underlined the role played by the DRC in the current global energy transition.
“The DRC is one of the most important countries in the world, because it contributes to the energy transition, as we move from fossil fuel to cleaner energy”, he underlined.
And to add: “The whole world will need minerals, natural resources… as a whole which are necessary for this transformation. And I don’t think there is a country other than the DRC that can bring so much to the world”
US stands up against corruption and inhuman labour in the mining sector
“We therefore want energy, but also ensure the conditions under which those who contribute to this cleaner energy (which we want) work. To do this, we have a good understanding of what cleaner energy means. That is to say, no corruption but also (guarantees) of working conditions for those who work in the minerals sector,” said Amos Hochstein.
The emissary of the American president, says he is positive and remains hopeful of returning to Congo for a next meeting. “So, this is what we have been discussing for the past two days with the Congolese authorities. I keep my hopes up and look forward to coming back here on a future trip,” he said.
After Blinken, Hochstein brings the same speech
This mission by Amos Hochstein to Kinshasa demonstrates the interest the USA attaches to the country’s minerals and natural resources. It comes just a month after another Toe Biden envoy visited. Anthony J. Blinken, the American Secretary of State, had stayed in the Congolese capital from August 9 to 10.
During his visit, Anthony Blinken had also met some officials of the Tshisekedi administration and exchanged with them on several areas but more particularly that of the investment sector, which Amos Hochstein also addressed in his mission.
The undercards
According to analysts, the Biden administration conditions the arrival of its investors on the respect of a certain number of democratic criteria and principles, supposed to guarantee transparency in an environment where other expatriates have preferred to launch without asking too many requirements. And that suits the Congolese authorities who need capital to boost the development of a long impoverished and asphyxiated country, they seem to lean more towards realism than towards the elastic caution of American investors, explained its observers.
