‘DON’ TRUMP’S ‘JUST-BUSINESS’ RWANDA-DRC DEAL

Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have just signed a peace deal at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. A week earlier, President Donald Trump basked in the limelight of a long-awaited deal between the neighbouring central African states when they agreed on an initial draft, even suggesting he deserves a Nobel Peace prize for the breakthrough.

To us, though , it all smacks of a Mafia-style operation.

To make our point, we decided to indulge in a bit of amateur theatrics by updating the opening scene of the cult film The Godfather. Our skit features Ahmed Kaballo as US boss Trump, Clinton Nzala as Rwanda's president Paul Kagame and William Sakawa as DRC's Félix Tshisekedi. But while we're having a laugh, the point is serious: we highlight the exploitation, coercive diplomacy and resource plundering that define Congo's ongoing conflict.

The DRC is a nation rich in minerals such as cobalt, coltan, gold, and tin, which are crucial for global industries ranging from electronics to electric vehicles. Despite this vast wealth (estimated at a staggering $24 trillion), the Congo remains one of the poorest nations on the planet, beset by chronic instability, humanitarian disasters and rampant human-rights violations.

Neighbouring Rwanda has been instrumental in plundering this wealth. According to UN reports, Kigali supports the M23 rebel group, which has seized control of key mineral-rich areas in eastern DRC and has been facilitating the illicit flow of minerals across the border into Rwanda, where they are laundered and integrated into international supply chains.

Now, the 'Don' (godfather) in the White House has secured his 'protection fee' - in the form of US access to Congolese mineral resources. It means the DRC has handed over control of its minerals in return for a security 'guarantee' that US 'associate' Rwanda will halt its hostilities in eastern Congo.

We didn't mean to make light of a serious situation, but sometimes it's essential to be creative to convey the message effectively. Please share your thoughts in the comments!