KoBold Makes Offer for Congo Lithium as Country Courts US, page-2038

"The DRC don't want a drawn out court case either, as it means the peace/minerals deal is off" ....so the stage is set for fair negotiations"

That's a highly optimistic viewpoint Damo given the DRC has not before now showed any true spirit to negotiate an amicable outcome with AVZ in the last 3 years. So why now? The 25th June 2025 has now become a critical milestone and the US and the World Leaders will be watching their moves.
Reading between the lines the DRC has succumbed to the realisation that it has far too much to lose from attracting future foreign investment, let alone the penalties that are to be levelled against them if there is an adverse fall out from these negotiations.

The fact is the DRC are relieved the ICSID Arbitration case has been temporarily suspended. They don't want the Arbitration hearing to commence. There were too many Ministers and Govt. officials from the DRC who are going to be heavily exposed for their involvement in the corruption saga not to forget the corrupt Mining code that has been in existence for the past decade. Exposing the dodgey tactics and partners that the DRC has also conspired with would almost certainly destroy any future relationships with US Business interests and other international leaders from getting to the next stage if this was presented in an Arbitration hearing. The peace discussions would also be thrown into total disarray as the facts of corruption are revealed and become trending news for All world leaders to take notice.

With the US now involved heavily in discussions around peace talks, Critical Minerals mining deals and breathing fire into national security issues concerning the genocide of white farmers in discussions with the DRC and Rwanda, there is no possibility the DRC can afford the ICSID Case to proceed. There is also no possibility they could ignore any adverse ruling if the international arbitration case were to continue.

As SHs we hope the DRC comes to the Table with an open mind to work through the negotiations to produce an amicable settlement that then supports the on sale to US Business interests. This is the first critical step that must happen if all parties are to emerge with a beneficial outcome.
If the DRC decide they are going to continue to make matters challenging for AVZ this is not an approach AVZ or the US will entertain for too long, having come this far.
AVZ management will simply withdraw and proceed to Arbitration. That's our best leverage to bring an end to this saga if the DRC decide not to play ball. IMO the US will support AVZ if there is further resistance from the DRC to reach a settlement and proceed to arbitration .

The US is an important ally with an upper hand to helping the DRC move forward and towards assisting us realise a potential fair value.