Fighting fueled by the desire for valuable minerals essential for electric vehicles and mobile phones has erupted in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with the M23 rebels taking control of the city of Goma. This conflict has become a major foreign policy challenge for the Trump administration, prompting calls for a ceasefire and highlighting the volatile situation in the region.
Fighting over minerals crucial for electric vehicles and mobile phones has emerged as the Trump administration's initial significant foreign policy challenge in Africa. The situation in Goma , a densely populated city of 2 million in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is dire, with reports of bodies decomposing in the streets and hospitals overwhelmed by casualties.
The M23 rebels, believed to be supported by neighboring Rwanda, according to the United Nations and other sources, have reportedly seized control of the city. 'The M23 appears to have taken control of a significant portion of the city following intense fighting with the Congolese army,' stated the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) on Wednesday. 'Reports have emerged of looting of shops, offices, and warehouses belonging to humanitarian organizations, while heavy gunfire and explosions have been heard in various parts of the city.' OCHA further added, 'Local sources believe the civilian casualties are significant, although assessment is yet to be conducted.' The conflict has claimed the lives of 13 South African peacekeeping troops in the past week. The escalating violence has raised alarm within the international community, with key figures calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Sen. Jim Risch, R-Idaho, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently stated, 'The M23 must immediately stop their advance on Goma, and all parties must cease hostilities, restore unhindered humanitarian access, and honor their commitments.' The unrest in the DRC's capital has also seen attacks on 10 foreign embassies, including the U.S. mission, with some, such as the French Embassy, being set ablaze. Frans Cronje, an advisor at the U.S. Yorktown Foundation for Freedom, shed light on the origins and motivations of the M23, stating, 'The M23 or March 23 Movement is a Tutsi-led and eastern-DRC based insurgent movement born around 2012. The ensuing conflict has been sustained for more than 3 decades, in large part as a consequence of the extraordinary mineral wealth of the DRC.' Cronje emphasized the group's exploitation of the DRC's vast mineral resources, citing a United Nations report that revealed M23's significant financial gains from 'taxing' minerals extracted in areas under their control. This report, commissioned by the U.N. Security Council, highlights the group's capture of the Rubaya mining sites, one of the world's leading sources of coltan, a mineral integral to EV batteries. Furthermore, Cronje pointed out the DRC's dominance in the global cobalt production, accounting for 70-80% of the world's supply, a mineral crucial for both the U.S. economy and defense. The DRC also ranks as the third-largest copper producer globally, contributing approximately 11% of the world's output. While President Trump remained tight-lipped on the situation during a press briefing on Thursday, the State Department has actively engaged in diplomatic efforts. Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed to Rwandan President Paul Kagame the U.S.'s deep concern over the escalating conflict and urged for an immediate ceasefire and respect for territorial integrity. Kagame responded positively to the conversation, stating on X that it covered the need to ensure a ceasefire and address the root causes of the conflict. Both leaders expressed a commitment to working together towards a peaceful and prosperous future for the region
Conflict & War Minerals & Energy Democratic Republic Of Congo M23 Rwanda Goma Coltan Cobalt Copper Electric Vehicles Minerals Conflict Ceasefire United Nations Trump Administration
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