From May 15 2021 Kinshasa. President Felix Tshisekedi has announced that he wants to renegotiate DR Congo's mining contracts, reportedly including those with China, lamenting that the Congolese are still "languishing in misery" despite vast mineral resources.
The large central African country is a major exporter of copper, uranium and cobalt -- a key ingredient in batteries for consumer gadgets -- but remains one of the world's poorest states.
Visiting the southern mining town of Kolwezi on Thursday, Tshisekedi made comments that local media predicted could spark a stand-off with China over deals sealed under his predecessor.
"It's not normal that those with whom the country has signed mining contracts get richer while our population remains poor," Tshisekedi told thousands of residents in the city centre.
"It is time for the country to readjust its contracts with miners to seal win-win partnerships," he said.
"I have really had enough! I am very severe with these investors who come to enrich themselves alone. They come with empty pockets and leave billionaires.