A covert US mission to negotiate a minerals-for-security deal in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has ended in controversy, shedding light on the high-stakes diplomacy pursued under former President Donald Trump's influence. The mission, which aimed to secure the release of three American prisoners on death row in Congo and forge a strategic agreement tied to critical mineral access, ultimately backfired, stirring regional suspicion and global scrutiny.
In March 2025, three envoys—Israeli-American businessman Moti Kahana, former US Special Forces officer Justin Sapp, and ex-State Department official Stuart Seldowitz—arrived in Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, with a bold proposal. The group, reportedly acting on behalf of individuals close to Donald Trump, aimed to negotiate the release of the Americans in exchange for increased US investment in Congolese mineral sectors and security support.
The Americans had been convicted in 2016 for their involvement in a botched coup attempt and faced the death penalty. The Trump-linked delegation believed a combination of diplomacy, business incentives, and political influence could secure their release while establishing a long-term resource agreement benefiting the US technology and defense sectors.
However, the mission quickly unraveled. During a nighttime shooting practice conducted by the visitors, Congolese intelligence officials raised alarms, suspecting a coup plot. A senior Congolese general personally intervened, confronting the team and demanding they leave the country immediately. With tensions high, the group sought protection from the US Embassy, which arranged for their swift departure.
Though the mission failed to achieve its original goal through unofficial channels, diplomatic efforts continued. Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi later commuted the sentences of the three Americans from death to life imprisonment. They were subsequently extradited to the US for prosecution.
The failed mission coincided with broader developments in the region. In late June 2025, the US brokered a landmark peace agreement between the DRC and Rwanda. Known as the Washington Accord, the deal seeks to end ongoing violence involving M23 rebels and includes provisions for regional economic cooperation and mineral development, with American strategic interests prominently involved.
The peace agreement has been hailed by some as a diplomatic breakthrough but criticized by others for excluding key armed groups and failing to address structural corruption and governance challenges in Congo. The US has also faced backlash for simultaneously cutting humanitarian aid, including the cancellation of vital rape survivor kits amid rising reports of sexual violence in conflict-affected areas.
Observers view the events as indicative of a new, more transactional US foreign policy approach under Trump's resurgence. Rather than relying solely on traditional diplomacy, the mission involved private actors, opaque negotiations, and a direct appeal to resource wealth as a bargaining chip. Critics argue this method prioritizes strategic interests over human rights and long-term stability.
As the region navigates a fragile peace, the fallout from the failed US mission continues to ripple through diplomatic and humanitarian circles. The episode raises critical questions about the future of American engagement in Africa, the ethics of private diplomacy, and the global competition for critical minerals in an increasingly resource-dependent world.