Massad Boulos' Africa Trip

SOURCE www.npr.org
Massad Boulos, Tiffany Trump's father-in-law and President Trump's new senior advisor for Africa, is on a trip to Africa's Great Lakes region to discuss a minerals-for-security deal with Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi. Boulos aims to build a deeper relationship between the DRC and the U.S., stimulate American private sector investment in the DRC's mining sector, and advance peace efforts in the region.

Key Points

  • Boulos is President Trump's new senior advisor for Africa
  • He aims to benefit both Congolese and American people through a deeper relationship and private sector investment
  • The DRC is rich in critical minerals like uranium, cobalt, and lithium, essential for the global supply chain

Pros

  • Advancing peace efforts in the conflict-ridden Great Lakes region
  • Stimulating American private sector investment in the DRC's mining sector
  • Building a deeper relationship between the DRC and the U.S.

Cons

  • Conflict in the DRC with rebels and allegations of neighboring countries backing them for looting mineral wealth
  • Speculation surrounding a minerals-for-security deal