Thu 03 April 2025:
The father-in-law of presidential daughter Tiffany Trump has been appointed senior advisor for Africa amid talks of a mineral deal between the U.S. and the Democratic Republic of Congo, the State Department announced Tuesday.
Besides this new role, Massad Boulos remains the senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on Arab and Middle Eastern affairs.
Boulos, alongside Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Corina Sanders, will embark Thursday on a visit to Congo, Rwanda, Kenya, and Uganda.
During their visit, they will engage with heads of state and business leaders to further efforts for a “durable peace” in conflict-hit eastern Congo and to encourage US private sector involvement in the region.
This appointment follows reports that Trump may appoint his in-law to a critical role in the region as Congo eyes a Ukraine-style mineral deal with the US. Congo is known for being rich in critical minerals.
__________________________________________________________________________
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22
__________________________________________________________________________
Since January, eastern Congo has been grappling with a security and humanitarian crisis following a fresh offensive by the M23 rebel group. The rebels have seized significant territory in the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu.
In less than three months, the number of Congolese fleeing the conflict to neighboring countries has surged to over 100,000, according to the UN.
Congo and others accuse neighboring Rwanda of backing the M23 rebel group. Rwanda, however, denies the allegations.
Earlier, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame called for a ceasefire during surprise talks mediated by Qatar’s emir in Doha.
The M23 rebel group said it would withdraw from Walikale and nearby areas in North Kivu to support peace efforts. However, local reports indicated the rebels were still present there.
According to reports, the Congolese government and the M23 rebel group are expected to hold their first direct talks on April 9.
-Source: AA
__________________________________________________________________________
FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:
WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22
TWITTER (CLICK HERE)
https://twitter.com/IpIndependent
FACEBOOK (CLICK HERE)
https://web.facebook.com/ipindependent
YOUTUBE (CLICK HERE)
https://www.youtube.com/@ipindependent
Think your friends would be interested? Share this story!