Newscasts - Rebel leader denounces US-Congo minerals deal a year after Goma's fall
29/01/2026 15:08
Click the following link to watch video: https://share.newscasts.refinitiv.com/link?entryId=1_ynxr23hr&referenceId=tag:reuters.com,2026:newsml_RW102829012026RP1_930&pageId=Newscasts Source: 'Reuters - Business videos' Description: The leader of a Congolese rebel coalition that includes the M23 group said a deal between Kinshasa and Washington related to critical minerals in the war-hit region was deeply flawed and unconstitutional, casting doubt on its implementation. David Doyle has more. Short Link: https://lseg.group/4t8ofOb Video Transcript: An influential rebel leader has described a critical minerals deal between the United States and Democratic Republic of Congo relating to the latter's war-hit East as deeply flawed and unconstitutional. Corneille Nangaa, who leads the L'Alliance fleuve Congo that includes the M23 group, was speaking from the rebel-held eastern city, Goma. It's been a year since M23 captured the city of more than 2 million in what was Eastern Congo's biggest escalation of fighting in years. Nangaa says the rebels have made Goma a secure city. There are no more armed bandits. You will no longer hear gunshots in Goma, as was the case before. Indeed, markets now stay open well after dark. Traders say they no longer fear the theft and extortion that took place before the rebels arrived. But the sense of improved safety has not translated into economic recovery. Goma's banks remain closed, the airport is shut, and formal links to the national economy are largely severed. Fish seller Nyabintu Cimanuka says that from a security point of view, they have no complaints, but that her business is struggling. Before, we sold a lot in a short time. But today, we have a lot of time to sell, but we're just forcing ourselves. There are no sales. There is wealth, however, beneath the ground. In addition to Goma and Eastern Congo's second-largest city Bukavu, the rebels' lightning offensive last year captured major mining zones. Most of Eastern Congo's key minerals, such as coltan, now lie in areas held by M23. And that's why Nangaa's criticism of the US Congo minerals deal that was signed in December casts doubt on its implementation. The deal gives the US greater access to Congo's critical minerals in exchange for investment and security cooperation. Nangaa said the plan suffered from a lack of transparency and legal shortcomings, adding that the Americans had signed it with what he called an "illegitimate and corrupt regime". The Congolese presidency rejected Nangaa's accusations, saying the partnership fully falls within the constitutional prerogatives of the President and government. A senior Congolese official has said they believe they will get approval for the deal when it's presented to lawmakers in March.