China’s Exploitation of DRC’s Minerals Sparks U.S. Intervention Calls
In a strong critique of China’s mining operations in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Joseph Mulala Nguramo, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, accuses China of exploiting African mineral resources through corruption, poor governance, and human rights violations.
Citing trade data, Mulala highlights that China-Africa trade volume stands at $282.1 billion, growing at about 1.5% annually. Despite this, China controls nearly 90% of the DRC’s mining sector while failing to support governance reforms or anti-corruption efforts. Instead, Mulala claims China actively engages in corruption to maintain dominance over the country’s critical resources.
As evidence, he points to the $800 million payment made to Gécamines in 2023 under a Chinese contract, which has since disappeared, according to findings from the General Inspectorate of Finance (IGF).
“The Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) mercantilist model aims to establish monopolies over critical resources. To achieve this, it fosters illegitimate and unstable political systems in countries like the DRC and Sudan, leading to civil unrest, violence, and war,” Mulala states.
Mulala criticizes the administration of President Félix Tshisekedi, stating that it has failed to address corruption and governance issues, further deepening the country’s political crisis.
He argues that the government lacks the vision, competence, and leadership needed to secure and regulate the supply of its valuable minerals.
Mulala urges the United States to counter China’s influence in Africa, advocating for a bipartisan approach that transcends short-term political considerations.
He warns that continued U.S. inaction could lead to a loss of its global leadership in democracy and human rights, as has already happened in Venezuela, Cuba, North Korea, Russia, and Sudan.
“It is critical for the United States to push back against China’s dominance over African resources, both for its own security and for the defense of democracy in Africa,” Mulala asserts.
While Mulala calls for increased U.S. involvement in Congolese mining, the Trump administration recently announced measures to boost domestic production of key minerals, including uranium, copper, potash, and gold.
Citing national security risks, the U.S. government aims to reduce dependence on foreign mineral imports, particularly from rival nations like China.
These actions, part of the “Do More in America” initiative, seek to strengthen U.S. mineral processing and production, potentially impacting future imports from Africa.
Mulala’s warning underscores the geopolitical battle over Africa’s resources, with China’s expanding influence in DRC raising concerns about governance, economic exploitation, and sovereignty.
As the U.S. focuses on domestic mineral production, the question remains whether it will also take a stronger stance in countering China’s grip on Africa’s mining sector.
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