Representative Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (D-FL) issued a statement praising the recent peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, saying the United States could potentially benefit from a critical minerals agreement with the DRC.
The Associated Press provides context and background on the conflict, which is partly driven by the struggle for control of critical minerals and ethnic tensions. A key player in the violence has been M23, a Rwanda-backed rebel group in the DRC. M23 took control of two major cities in the eastern DRC, a region rich in minerals, in February.
On Sunday, President Donald Trump brokered a peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda, which includes American access to critical minerals in the DRC.
While uncertainty and apprehension about the deal's effectiveness remain, Rep. Cherfilus McCormick was optimistic, saying, "I welcome the announcement of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda—an important step that offers hope to the millions who have suffered from years of conflict in eastern Congo."
"While we commend the progress reflected in this agreement—including mutual recognition, disarmament, refugee repatriation, and economic integration—we urge the administration to appoint a U.S. Special Representative to oversee implementation with transparency and accountability," Rep. Cherfilus McCormick continued, adding, "This agreement also opens the door to future cooperation, including the development of a U.S.-DRC critical minerals agreement. I encourage the administration to pursue this opportunity with a shared commitment to regional stability, economic development, and environmental responsibility."
Last May, the Florida Congresswoman introduced legislation to strengthen the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA), created in 2018 by the African Union. As its name suggests, the AfCTA promotes free trade between African nations, potentially lifting 30 million inhabitants out of poverty and raising the incomes of 68 million more.
Cherfilus McCormick had previously described how the United States should "respond to the African people's aspirations by protecting their basic rights, providing humanitarian assistance when it is needed, and creating an enabling environment for people to prosper."
