The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is having “daily exchanges” with the United States government with the aim of securing a minerals-for-security deal, Congolese officials have told the media.

The move comes amid escalating violence in the East African country. The rebel M23 armed group has seized territory in areas rich in gold and coltan, an important mineral used in the manufacturing of electronic gadgets.

At least 7,000 people have been killed since January, according to the DRC government. Thousands more have been displaced.

Although there are no details of an official proposal for a deal with the US, DRC legislators appear to be hoping that the US will deploy troops to help contain the conflict in exchange for rights to the minerals. Analysts, however, say it is unclear whether such an alliance would align with US President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy, and that Washington would be more likely to take a less hands-on approach under any deal.

“The most likely scenario of such an agreement would be the US’s provision of military equipment to the DRC as opposed to any direct troop support,” Daniel van Dalen, senior analyst at South Africa-based security intelligence firm, Signal Risk, told Al Jazeera.

Why is DRC seeking a minerals deal with the US now?

Observers say the DRC has been inspired by Washington’s proposal to support Ukraine in its war against Russia in exchange for a minerals deal.

That proposal entails Kyiv handing over a 50 percent stake in the country’s minerals revenue to enjoy a “long-term financial commitment to the development of a stable and economically prosperous Ukraine” from the US.

According to the Reuters news agency, Andre Wameso, deputy chief of staff to DRC’s President Felix Tshisekedi, went to Washington earlier this month to discuss a similar potential “partnership” with US officials. DRC officials have not disclosed specific details on what such a deal would entail.

Like Ukraine, the DRC needs security partners to win its war against the M23 and more than 100 other armed groups that have control of lucrative mines throughout the country. The resource-rich country is a major producer of tin, tungsten, tantalum and gold. These minerals, known collectively as 3TG, are used in the production of electronics, defence equipment, electric vehicles and other technology. DRC’s untapped natural resources are estimated to be worth some $24 trillion.

What has been proposed by Congolese legislators?

On February 21, the Africa Business Council, an international advocacy group for African business interests, wrote to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, inviting the US to invest in DRC’s untapped resources. The group said it was acting on behalf of Congolese senator Pierre Kanda Kalambayi who chairs the DRC’s senate committee on defence, security and border protection.