The United States has a long history of involvement in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Unfortunately, decades of conflict have shown that the well-being of the Congolese people has not been a priority for Tshisekedi's government. This time, we urge the U.S. to take a different approach. A true commitment to human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and ethical global partnerships demands the rejection of any deal that serves only the interests of a self-serving regime—one whose six-year rule has continually worsened the lives of the Congolese people.

"For the well-being of the DRC and its people, sign this petition to oppose Tshisekedi’s threatening plan of Ethnic Cleansing and the corrupt, exploitative mineral deals with the U.S. that risks devastating our nation for generations."

Details of the Corrupt Deals:

President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has approached the Trump Administration through lobbying firms, seeking to establish a US-DRC strategic partnership for critical minerals. This proposed deal would grant the U.S. access to Congolese minerals in exchange for diplomatic and military support for a regime weakened by strong political and armed opposition.

We, the undersigned, urgently call on the U.S. government to reject this proposed partnership, as it would further entrench a corrupt governance system, fuel human rights abuses, undermine democracy, and exacerbate regional instability. Since taking power in 2018 through two consecutive fraudulent elections, President Tshisekedi has failed to use the country’s mineral wealth to improve the lives of the Congolese people. Instead, he has used the revenue to enrich himself and his family, who control the sector with unchecked power. A recent investigation revealed that the Congolese presidency spends nearly five times more than the presidency of France, often exceeding its already excessive budget by 190%. The proposed partnership would only legitimize a deeply contested regime with a track record of deception, state violence, and the plunder of public resources for private gain.

On February 25, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio received a proposal from Dr. Aaron Poynton, President of the Africa-USA Business Council, on behalf of Senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi, Chairman of the DRC’s Committee on Defense, Security, and Border Protection. They advocated for increased U.S. investment in the DRC’s mineral sector, which is said to hold $24 trillion worth of untapped critical minerals, including cobalt, lithium, copper, tantalum, and uranium—resources vital for U.S. defense, technology, and energy industries. The lobbyists further suggested a high-profile visit by President Tshisekedi to finalize the agreement and attract U.S. investors. However, the language used in advocating for this deal conceals the truth: Tshisekedi is not pursuing this deal for the security or prosperity of the Congolese people, but rather as a means to further enrich himself and consolidate his contested, polarizing rule.

• Control of the Mining Sector: Tshisekedi and his family have seized control of the DRC’s mining sector, including through expropriation of previously contracted companies. Mining operations and revenues in the DRC are shrouded in secrecy to prevent accountability. The President’s growing family business empire thrives on corruption and military repression. Investigations have shown that negotiations for this deal with the U.S. came after similar offers from other countries, including Russia, the UAE, and South Africa, raising concerns about the stability and trustworthiness of such investments.
• Exploitation of Katanga: Tshisekedi has transformed the mineral-rich former Katanga Province into his family's private economic territory. Military forces, including the Presidential Guard, have been deployed to protect his illegal mining operations while local communities suffer from violence, forced displacement, and economic exploitation.
• Civil Society Opposition: On March 7, 2025, Katanga’s Civil Society Organizations issued a memorandum categorically rejecting the proposed U.S.-DRC deal. They condemned (1) the looting of Katanga’s wealth, (2) the enslavement of the Katangese people through labor exploitation for the benefit of the President’s family, and (3) the regime’s failure to honor previous commitments with local, national, and international stakeholders.
• Human Rights Violations: President Tshisekedi has weaponized state institutions against the opposition, with vocal members killed, jailed, or forced into exile. He uses illegally appropriated funds from the DRC’s mineral wealth to secure loyalty from those around him.
• Ethnic Persecution: Tshisekedi and many prominent figures in his administration have promoted ethnic marginalization and persecution, particularly against the Tutsi community in the eastern provinces. These communities face systematic killings, lynching, and hateful campaigns rejecting their national belonging. Any support for Tshisekedi risks enabling these atrocities.
• Impact on Regional Peace: While the East African Community (EAC), Southern African Development Community (SADC), and the African Union are actively seeking a peaceful resolution to the armed conflict, this proposed deal threatens to derail these efforts, exacerbating the suffering of the Congolese people and escalating regional tensions.
  For these reasons, we call on the U.S. government to take a stand against corruption, oppression, and the exploitation of the DRC’s mineral wealth for private gain. Instead, we urge the U.S. to support the Congolese people by:

1. Conducting an independent investigation into corruption and human rights violations in the DRC.
2. Demanding accountability from the Tshisekedi regime and applying targeted sanctions against officials involved in documented state-sanctioned crimes.
3. Ensuring that U.S. economic engagement with the DRC promotes democratic governance, transparency, accountability, and the well-being of the Congolese people.