Erik Prince—the controversial security contractor and Trump ally—has inked a deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to clamp down on mineral smuggling and recover lost tax revenue, even as Rwanda-backed M23 rebels tighten their grip on the country’s resource-rich east. The agreement, negotiated before the rebel offensive escalated in January, coincides with U.S.-DRC talks on a broader critical minerals partnership, fueling speculation about Washington’s role in the volatile region.
The Prince Plan: Securing Mines, Not Battlefields
- Focus areas: Initial efforts will target copper mines in Katanga province (far from M23-controlled zones), where an estimated $40 million/month is lost to smuggling.
- Tactics: Prince’s team will deploy with commodity inspection experts to audit mines and cross-border trade, avoiding direct conflict zones.
- No mercenaries (for now): Despite Prince’s 2023 proposal to send thousands of contractors to fight rebels, the current deal emphasizes financial oversight, not military ops.
U.S. Shadow Over the Deal
- Minerals-for-security? The DRC has pitched a U.S.-backed security pact in exchange for access to cobalt, copper, and lithium—critical for EVs and tech.
- Prince’s Trump ties: The ex-Blackwater founder, whose employees were pardoned by Trump, adds political intrigue. Analysts say contractors like Prince could become Washington’s off-the-books option in Congo.
- State Department silence: Neither the U.S. nor Congo’s presidency commented, but a government source said any Prince deal must align with future U.S. agreements.
Why Congo’s Minerals Matter
The DRC holds:
- 70% of the world’s cobalt (key for batteries).
- Vast copper, lithium, and coltan reserves (used in smartphones).
Yet decades of corruption and rebel violence—including Rwanda’s alleged plundering (denied by Kigali)—have starved the state of revenue.
Risks and Unanswered Questions
- M23’s advance: Rebels now control eastern cities and mining zones, complicating oversight.
- Prince’s track record: Past ventures in Africa faced accusations of exploitation and lax oversight.
- U.S. endgame: Will Washington formalize involvement, or rely on proxies?
What’s Next?
- Katanga rollout: Prince’s advisers aim to start in the south within weeks.
- Broader U.S.-DRC deal: Terms remain unclear, but Congo seeks security aid and investment.
- Global fallout: China, a major DRC investor, watches closely as Western firms vie for mineral access.
Erik Prince Strikes Congo Minerals Deal Amid Rebel Crisis—With U.S. Ties in Focus