Travel restrictions to the Democratic Republic of the Congo linked to the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the country's northeastern region are disrupting critical minerals cooperation between the United States and Congo, Reuters reported on July 15, based on conversations with one diplomatic and two consulting sources. Sources said travel disruptions had resulted in the cancellation of a planned investor meeting and the postponement of deal discussions, although the U.S. State Department reiterated to Reuters its commitment to advancing the United States' critical mineral partnership with Congo.

Congo's northeastern region has faced an Ebola outbreak since mid-May, with the Ituri province standing as the center of the epidemic. Congolese authorities have identified 2,011 confirmed cases and 754 fatalities from the outbreak, although the total likely stands meaningfully higher. The United States and Congo signed a critical minerals partnership in December 2025, with several U.S.-linked companies subsequently striking mining deals in the region.