Trump offers military support to the DRC in exchange for minerals.

The United States is flirting with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to secure privileged access to coveted rare minerals, essential for the American technology and defense industries. While presenting themselves as strategic partners, Washington's real interests revolve around controlling the resources that power the digital and military worlds.

Platon and The People's Portfolio | A piece of coltan in rock form – miners must dig, carry stones, and break them to access the minerals.

A U.S. State Department spokesperson told the Financial Times that the American administration is willing to invest in the DRC's critical minerals sector—provided everything aligns with the U.S.'s economic supremacy policy. "The United States is open to discussing partnerships in this sector that align with the Trump administration's America First agenda," the spokesperson stated.

The U.S. proposal includes promises of jobs and the integration of the DRC into global production chains. Behind the scenes, however, there's a military influence plan: in exchange for the right to exploit rare earth metals, Washington may train the Congolese armed forces under the pretext of strengthening the country against the insurgency of the M23 rebel group. The catch? M23 is backed by Rwanda, a strategic ally of the West in the region.

Platon and The People's Portfolio | A miner at the Lwango Cooperative mine

M23 has resumed its advance in eastern DRC after the failure of negotiations mediated by Angola. The Congolese government accuses Rwanda of financing and arming the rebels to secure the illegal flow of strategic minerals. Pressured by the escalating violence, countries like Germany and the United Kingdom have frozen part of their financial aid to Kigali.

The United States has also made a move: on February 20, it imposed sanctions on a Rwandan state minister and an M23 spokesperson, accusing them of fueling the conflict in eastern Congo. However, the measure raises questions—is it a strategic move to maintain control over the region while ensuring that the most profitable mines remain in the "right" hands?

At the end of January, M23, with logistical and military support from Rwanda, seized Goma, the largest city in eastern DRC. A few weeks later, in February, the rebels took control of Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu province. As chaos unfolds, the West maneuvers behind the scenes, ensuring that regardless of the victor, rare minerals continue flowing to the factories of the Global North.