Hear from Tyler Beckelman, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, USAID, for a dialogue addressing the longstanding tensions between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The conversation will discuss the recent seizure of Goma—a Congolese city known for its mining industry—by rebel group M23 and how the continued global demand for critical minerals perpetuates illicit trade and violence in the region. Stay tuned for updates on date and time.

Why It's Important:

• In January, M23 rebels seized control of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, as part of an effort to claim territory since the late 1990s. 
• An estimated 150 metric tons of coltan, a metallic ore used in electronics, were smuggled into Rwanda by rebels in 2024. Coltan mining has been associated with issues of human security, including damage to the environment and the exploitation of laborers, including children. 
• Over one million Congolese are currently displaced as a result of M23 activity, with over a hundred thousand living in encampments outside of Goma. 
• Following the Rwandan genocide in 1994, tensions between Tutsi and Hutu militia groups continue to shape the political relationship between Rwanda and the DRC. 

Please feel free to send in questions in advance to events@pacificcouncil.org.

Guest Speaker

Tyler Beckelman is the Deputy Assistant Administrator for USAID’s Bureau for Africa, where he brings over 18 years of experience in African affairs and programming in development, humanitarian and transitional contexts.

Prior to joining USAID, Mr. Beckelman served as the Director of International Partnerships at the U.S. Institute of Peace, where he oversaw the institute’s efforts to deepen substantive partnerships with multilateral institutions, governments and private foundations, and led research initiatives focused on the future of the multilateral system and international engagement in fragile states. From 2012-13, Mr. Beckelman served on the National Security Council as Director for African Affairs, where he coordinated U.S. policy for 15 countries in East and Southern Africa, advised senior administration officials, helped develop the Obama administration’s signature policy initiatives, and supported President Obama’s trips to South Africa and Tanzania.

Following his service at the NSC, Mr. Beckelman was the Director of USAID/Somalia Field Office based in Nairobi, Kenya and Mogadishu, Somalia, where he oversaw the rapid expansion of U.S. support for Somalia’s nascent political transition and led USAID’s engagement with the Federal Government of Somalia and international partners. He has also served as a Senior Advisor and Africa Division Chief in USAID’s Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, Regional Advisor for East Africa in USAID’s Bureau for Africa, and managed stabilization and political transition programs in Africa and the Middle East for USAID's Office of Transition Initiatives. Mr.

Beckelman began his career overseeing USAID humanitarian programs in Sudan, South Sudan, and Zimbabwe for USAID’s Office of Food for Peace, and at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.

Mr. Beckelman earned his B.A. in Political Science, International Studies, and Economics from Macalester College, and a M.A. in Government (Conflict Resolution) from Georgetown University.