US Blackwater founder Erik Prince reaches deal with Congo to secure mines

Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, attends a police and military presentation, in Guayaquil, Ecuador on April 5, 2025.

Photo credit: Reuters

Prominent Trump supporter Erik Prince has agreed to help Democratic Republic of Congo secure and tax its vast mineral wealth, according to two sources close to the private security executive, a Congolese government official and two diplomats.

The agreement, aimed at reaping more revenue from an industry marred by smuggling and corruption, was reached before Rwanda-backed M23 rebels launched a major offensive in January that has seen them seize eastern Congo’s two largest cities.