Congo Military Strikes Key Mining Hub Linked to US Investment Deal

Kinshasa, Saturday, 28 February 2026.
The battle for global technology supply chains has escalated into open warfare in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Government forces recently launched a targeted offensive to retake Rubaya, a strategic town responsible for up to 30% of the world’s coltan supply, shortly after diplomatic reports suggested the site was offered to American investors. The operation, bolstered by advanced drone warfare, successfully eliminated senior M23 commander Willy Ngoma on February 24, 2026, marking a significant tactical shift. However, the situation remains volatile; rebel factions have already launched fierce counter-attacks to reclaim surrounding villages, fueled by a lucrative war economy that reportedly exports millions in looted minerals to Rwanda annually. This conflict illustrates the increasingly violent intersection of sovereign security and the international race to secure critical minerals for the smartphone and laptop industries.