ISTANBUL

Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi praised “fast” partnership progress with the US under the Trump administration as the Democratic Republic of Congo eyes a Ukraine-style mineral deal with Washington.

Stressing the importance of a partnership with the US and its “role and influence” in the world, Tshisekedi told Fox News that “we are very happy to see that with the Trump administration, things are moving a lot faster on both sides.”

It came after the Congolese president received Trump’s special envoy, Congressman Ronny Jackson, on Sunday to discuss security in eastern Congo.

Congo looks to reach a deal with the US to gain Washington’s support against rebel groups in exchange for its rich mineral reserves, as it is grappling with a rebel offensive in its mineral-rich eastern territories.

Since January, the M23 rebel group has captured the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu during its latest offensive.

“We want to extract these minerals, but also process them as this would create a lot of jobs, and we want a partnership that will provide lasting peace and stability for our countries, which we need,” said Tshisekedi.

He said Congo would be “very happy” to have “American friends” back, who were more involved than China in the 1970s and 1980s.

“Nature abhors a vacuum, as the saying goes. It's not that China is waxing in Africa. It's more that America is waning in Africa,” Tshisekedi underlined.

He believes a partnership with the US will stimulate the growth of more innovative products.

Tshisekedi said Congo can strengthen its defense and security capabilities to ensure the safety of American companies, and the US can apply pressure or sanctions against armed groups.

The M23 rebels seized the town of Walikale on Wednesday, which is located in an area rich in minerals, in their latest advances in the eastern province of North Kivu.

The offensive has led to the displacement of thousands of residents to surrounding territories and neighboring countries, according to the UN.

Congo and others accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23 revels. Rwanda has denied the allegations.