DRC group urges public engagement on US economic and mining deals

The Center for Studies for Social Action (CEPAS) is calling for greater public engagement with mining and economic agreements between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States. The organization stresses the need for political, religious, and civil society leaders to actively inform the population about these crucial pacts.

CEPAS highlighted this recommendation at the close of its 2026 Social Days event in Kinshasa. The center aims to dispel the opacity surrounding the signing of such international treaties. Organizers noted that Congolese civil society and the general public have historically been excluded from negotiations, hindering citizen oversight and the monitoring of treaty implementation.

CEPAS Director Father Alain Nzadi emphasized the urgency of a collective awakening. "We need to reappropriate them to ensure monitoring in their implementation," he stated. "This means ensuring the Congolese side truly benefits from these agreements, so it's not just to the advantage of the American side."

The organization believes that educating the public through civic campaigns is vital. CEPAS argues that these agreements are not just about financial gains but are fundamental to restoring national security and achieving lasting peace, contrasting this with a "transactional peace" that only superficially resolves conflicts. They urge Congolese politicians to prioritize national interests over partisan ambitions and call on Parliament to enact robust, enduring laws that protect the country's resources.