At the recent Mining Indaba held in Cape Town, South Africa, Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources in South Africa, expressed strong opposition to the critical minerals agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the United States. Mantashe accused the DRC of compromising African interests by entering into what he termed as a 'sell-out' agreement, which sparked a tense exchange with his Congolese counterpart, Louis Watum Kabamba. Witnesses indicated that Mantashe's remarks were rooted in a broader concern for continental unity and the need for African nations to collaboratively manage their resources rather than relying on external powers.

In response, Kabamba stood firm against Mantashe's accusations, asserting that the deal brought mutual benefits and that the DRC was not sacrificing its resources without due compensation. He emphasized that the partnership with the US aimed to enhance the DRC's mining sector while ensuring that the benefits would accrue to the Congolese people. This disagreement highlights the tensions that can arise within Africa regarding foreign investments and the complexities of multinational agreements.

The incident at the Mining Indaba underscores the contentious nature of resource politics in Africa, especially as the continent focuses on leveraging its mineral wealth in a way that is equitable and beneficial to its nations. As countries like the DRC pursue partnerships with foreign powers like the US, the push for solidarity among African nations becomes increasingly important to protect their interests in the global economy. Mantashe's call for unity may resonate in future discussions about how African countries can collectively strategize their resource management and negotiations with foreign entities.