The Democratic Republic of Congo is dealing with two crises at once. An Ebola outbreak that has infected 2,011 people and killed 754 is now derailing US efforts to secure access to the country’s vast mineral wealth.
The outbreak, declared in mid-May 2026, has prompted the US Embassy in Kinshasa to advise against all travel to the region as of July 11. Americans entering the country now face potential 21-day quarantines.
The minerals deal that isn’t happening
The US and DRC have been working toward a minerals partnership designed to weaken China’s stranglehold on critical mineral supply chains. The effort builds on a Critical Minerals Ministerial agreement from February 2026.
A Washington review meeting on US companies’ interests in Congolese projects was postponed from June. A follow-up scheduled for July has been canceled outright. Discussions have reportedly shifted to cities like London and Paris. No formal agreements have been reached.
