Mercenaries suffer losses in DR Congo
The forces of US private security contractor Erik Prince suffered major battlefield losses in DR Congo last month, according to a new report. Prince's forces have been deployed to secure mineral-rich areas and curb smuggling, in a country whose army is fighting Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. DR Congo has sought to speed up the implementation of a strategic mining partnership with Washington and has already received US investment under the agreement.
Why it matters: The losses bear on the critical minerals theme, since the security of mineral-rich areas underpins DR Congo's cobalt supply and the US effort to rival China's access to critical minerals in Africa.