At the start of 2024, the M23 rebels, a group backed by Rwanda, took control of Goma and Bukavu and expressed their intention to advance towards Kinshasa, the capital of the DRC. Many media sources suggest that this attack might not have been possible without at least indirect approval from the United States.

The conflict raises questions about former U.S. President Donald Trump's role in this war, which is driven by the demand for valuable minerals used in industries such as electronics, aerospace, and defense. The previous war in the DRC, between 1998 and 2005, resulted in approximately 6 million deaths and involved large-scale massacres.

According to CNN, over 3,000 people were killed in the DRC in just two weeks due to ongoing battles in the mineral-rich region. The country’s resources, especially coltan, play a crucial role in global technology, including smartphones, computers, and military equipment.

Historically, the DRC has been exploited for its natural wealth. During the demand for rubber in the global automobile industry, between 5 to 8 million Congolese people died due to forced labor and violence. Today, a similar pattern exists with coltan, often referred to as a "blood mineral."

Over 5 million people have lost their lives as international corporations fight for control over 80% of the world’s coltan reserves, which are essential for aerospace, defense, and electronics manufacturing.

The DRC is home to around 70-80% of the world's coltan reserves, mainly found in the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. This mineral is used in mobile phones, laptops, gaming consoles, and electric vehicles, making it highly valuable in modern technology.

A United Nations (UN) report states that in 2023, at least 150 tons of coltan were illegally exported from the DRC to Rwanda, affecting the entire supply chain of minerals in the Great Lakes region. Rwanda has become the top exporter of coltan, surpassing the DRC, despite its limited mining capacity. This situation has caused tensions between the two countries.

Reports suggest that the M23 rebels control major transport routes leading to Rwanda, allowing them to profit from coltan mining. After taking over Rubaya, a coltan-rich area in North Kivu, the group imposed taxes on mining operations, generating an estimated $800,000 per month through illegal exports to Rwanda.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame congratulated Donald Trump on his election victory in November 2024. Kagame expressed optimism about strengthening relations between the two nations, emphasizing a "win-win" approach to diplomacy. This statement has fueled further discussions on the extent of U.S. involvement or influence in the ongoing mineral-driven conflict in the DRC.

The DRC has been experiencing conflict for nearly 30 years, with millions of lives lost. The illegal trade of minerals continues to fuel violence, making peace efforts difficult. The international community remains concerned about the humanitarian crisis, but the demand for coltan and other valuable resources keeps the conflict alive.

As long as these minerals are in high demand, the people of the DRC will continue to suffer, caught between rebel groups, foreign interests, and a battle for control over the nation’s vast natural wealth.