Next Africa

Trump Pushes for Peace in Congo as US Chases Critical Metals

The US sanctioned Rwanda’s army to flouting a peace deal signed in December

US President Donald Trump, center, with Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, left, and Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Washington on Dec. 4.Photographer: Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/AFP/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Antony Sguazzin

March 9, 2026 at 1:08 PM UTC

Welcome to Next Africa, a daily newsletter on where the continent stands now — and where it’s headed. Sign up here to have it delivered to your email. In today’s edition we look at moves by the US to secure critical minerals from central Africa.

While the world’s focus is firmly on the US and Israel’s war with Iran and the resultant surge in oil prices, Donald Trump is intervening in another conflict that’s also key to commodity markets.