The United States has proposed extending its Lobito railway project as an incentive for peace between the DRC and Rwanda, but Rwanda has retreated from negotiations. U.S. officials express concern over ongoing violence in Eastern DRC, including the influence of Rwandan-backed rebels. The overall geopolitical landscape remains challenging, influencing various conflicts in the region.
The United States has proposed an extension of its key African investment initiative to encourage a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda. However, senior U.S. diplomat Molly Phee indicated that Rwanda has distanced itself from these discussions. The initiative focuses on the Lobito railway’s expansion, which aims to enhance mineral transportation from the DRC and Zambia to Angola’s coastline.
Phee mentioned, “We had proposed to both sides that if we could get to stabilization in eastern DRC, we could work on developing a spur from the Lobito Corridor up through eastern DRC.” This proposed infrastructure development would occur following the stabilization of the eastern DRC, yet Rwanda has not engaged with these proposed incentives.
Despite ongoing military activity in the region, particularly with the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, Phee expressed disappointment in Rwanda’s withdrawal from negotiations. Presently, the DRC government is criticized for not taking action against the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a group involved in the conflict.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame’s skepticism towards peace initiatives, including the recent Luanda summit, has compounded tensions. He reportedly regards these meetings as insufficient for addressing entrenched issues affecting both nations.
The Biden administration has faced challenges in its engagements in Africa, particularly following the significant conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where a ceasefire was achieved in November 2022. Caution remains regarding Ethiopian military actions in other regions, which have raised concerns about civilian casualties.
In Niger, the U.S. encountered setbacks as a military junta came to power and fortifying ties with Russia. Phee commented on the need for Niger to seek reputable partnerships concerning its uranium resources, emphasizing, “You deserve to use your uranium to benefit your people. We’ll be happy to find you a reputable buyer.”
The article discusses the United States’ diplomatic efforts to establish a peace deal between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, particularly in light of ongoing conflict in Eastern DRC involving the M23 movement. The U.S. has proposed infrastructure incentives, such as extending the Lobito corridor railway as a peace-building mechanism. The situation highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics involving Rwanda, the DRC, and the international community, including U.S. interests in promoting stability in the region.
The U.S. has offered significant infrastructure incentives aimed at achieving a peace deal between the DRC and Rwanda, yet Rwanda’s withdrawal poses a challenge to these efforts. Secretary Phee’s remarks underline the persistent complexities in resolving regional conflicts amid geopolitical interests. The situation remains fluid, with significant implications for U.S.-African relations and regional stability as a whole.
Original Source: www.france24.com
