The situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is complex, with President Felix Tshisekedi's proposal to offer preferential access to the country's critical mineral wealth in exchange for military intervention against Rwanda-backed rebels raising concerns about a return to colonial-era resource extraction patterns.¹ This move undermines decades of Pan-African aspirations for genuine sovereignty and self-determination.

The DRC is rich in critical minerals like cobalt, which is essential for advanced technologies, including lithium-ion batteries and military equipment. China has already established a strong presence in the DRC's cobalt market, controlling 80% of the country's cobalt production. This has significant implications for the global balance of power and the security of critical mineral supply chains.

The question remains whether mineral diplomacy is a strategic pivot or a continuation of Africa's tragic resource curse. Can resource-rich African nations like the DRC ever escape the cycle of extraction and dependency? To address these concerns, it's essential to explore alternative pathways that serve immediate security needs while promoting long-term sovereignty objectives.