The meeting comes just a week after Washington expressed interest in exploring critical minerals partnerships with DRC. In February, a Congolese lawmaker reportedly contacted U.S. officials to propose a minerals-for-security deal.
However, the government has not publicly disclosed any such proposal, only stating its intention to seek diversified partnerships.
The presidential statement referred to Jackson as a 'special envoy' for U.S. President Donald Trump but did not directly mention minerals. Instead, Jackson emphasized the need for a stable environment to attract American businesses.
'We want to work so that American companies can come and invest and work in the DRC. And to do that, we have to make sure that there is a peaceful environment,' Jackson was quoted as saying. Tshisekedi is struggling to contain the insurgency led by the M23 rebels, who now control eastern DRC's two biggest cities.
The government had planned to send a delegation to peace talks in Angola on Tuesday, but hopes for negotiations have been dashed after M23 withdrew from the process at the last minute.
M23 withdraws from peace talks
In a sudden development, the AFC/M23 coalition announced its withdrawal from the peace negotiations scheduled for March 18, 2025, in Luanda, Angola. The talks were organized under the mediation of Angolan President João Lourenço, who also serves as the Chairperson of the African Union (AU).
Just a day before the scheduled discussions, M23 issued a statement signed by its political spokesperson, Lawrence Kanyuka, blaming international sanctions and ongoing military actions by Kinshasa as key reasons for pulling out.
'The Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23) deeply regrets that certain international institutions are deliberately undermining peace efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and obstructing the much-anticipated talks,' the statement read.
The group particularly criticized recent sanctions imposed on its members, arguing that they had compromised the credibility of the negotiations.
'Successive sanctions imposed on our members, including those enacted on the eve of the Luanda discussions, severely undermine direct dialogue and make any progress impossible,' M23 stated.
The group further accused Tshisekedi's administration of continuing military aggression, stating that government forces were conducting indiscriminate attacks on both civilian areas and M23 positions.
'This incomprehensible and ambiguous stance only encourages Mr. Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo to continue with his warmongering program,' the statement claimed.
M23 alleged that Kinshasa's forces, supported by its allies, had launched multiple ground attacks and aerial bombardments, using fighter jets and CH-4 combat drones.
'AFC/M23 draws the attention of the International and National Community to the warmongering campaign of the coalition forces of the Kinshasa regime through multiple ground attacks and indiscriminate bombardments of densely populated areas as well as our positions,' the group added.
Given these circumstances, M23 declared that it was no longer feasible to participate in the peace talks.
'Under these circumstances, the talks have become impracticable. Consequently, our organization can no longer continue to participate in the discussions,' the statement concluded.
Uncertain future for peace in eastern DRC
The announcement came just hours after M23 had initially confirmed sending a five-member delegation to the negotiations.
The Congolese government had also confirmed its participation, with a delegation led by Transport Minister Jean-Pierre Bemba, a former Minister of Defense and leader of the armed group Movement for the Liberation of Congo (MLC).
With the collapse of the peace talks, the future of stability in eastern DRC remains uncertain. Tshisekedi's government continues to seek international backing while facing mounting challenges in containing the insurgency.
Meanwhile, questions linger over whether his engagement with U.S. lawmakers is a desperate attempt to secure a minerals-for-security deal amid the growing instability.
IGIHE
