Jihadist fighters killed over 70 people in Mali while French President Macron toured East Africa to rebuild France's influence, as armed groups escalated violence across the continent amid regional instability and constitutional concerns.
The Trump administration facilitated a minerals partnership between Congo and Rwanda to secure cobalt for global supply chains, prompting Congo to establish a $100 million paramilitary mining unit by 2028, raising concerns about sovereignty and whether it protects Congolese communities or foreign commercial interests.
The DRC's General Inspectorate of Mines plans a $100 million US-UAE-funded paramilitary unit with 3,000 personnel by December 2026 to secure mining sites, raising sovereignty concerns as critics argue external funding prioritizes foreign interests over African mineral resource control.
Ethiopia averts Tigray war for now with mandate extension.
The US strikes a new minerals deal with the DR Congo to counter China's dominance in metals and mining on the continent.
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed received DR Congo's President Tshisekedi to strengthen economic partnerships and discuss regional security, with Tshisekedi condemning Iranian aggression and supporting UAE's defensive measures.
Congo's President Felix Tshisekedi announces his intention to run for a third term.
The Democratic Republic of Congo plans to export 500,000 metric tons of copper to the US through state-owned Gécamines, a fivefold increase, amid US-China competition for critical minerals, though activists warn of corruption risks and environmental concerns.
DRC President Tshisekedi ordered a 30-day audit of mining revenues and state assets to combat corruption in the sector, implementing interconnected tracking systems across customs, ports, and banks to expose unpaid revenues and strengthen governance of the nation's cobalt, copper, and lithium resources.
U.S.-based Virtus Minerals, backed by the Trump administration, neared acquisition of major DRC copper and cobalt mines from Dubai firm Chemaf, potentially adding 70,000 tons annual copper capacity and securing critical minerals from Chinese competitors.
The US and DR Congo signed a deal for the country to temporarily receive deported migrants from the US starting in April.
Joseph Kabila, former Congo president, faces death penalty for treason. He denies charges. Conviction occurred last year.
Congo's president warns elections can't occur unless the eastern conflict is resolved by 2028.
Trump's administration seeks influence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for its mineral wealth.
U.S.-based Virtus Minerals acquired Congolese mining company Chemaf, gaining control of cobalt and copper deposits capable of producing five percent of global cobalt supply, marking the first major deal under the December 2025 U.S.-DRC critical minerals partnership amid concerns over environmental and labor standards.
The US convened a critical minerals ministerial meeting to reduce dependence on China for mining and processing of vital minerals.
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo rewards national team players with cars and cash.
DRC's mineral wealth draws US interest, challenging China's monopoly