While we all focus on the confrontation between Israel and Hamas, the Biden administration is trying to contain the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Congo.
The United States is much more invested in the conflict on the border with Rwanda than previously thought.
After a call from Secretary of State Blinken and a visit from National Security Representative Avril Haines, they just proposed a de-escalation plan.
Neglected relationships
We generally pay little attention to U.S.-Africa relations, but Americans under Joe Biden appear to have a renewed interest in the continent. At least enough to intervene when we already support Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.
The United States became more involved in many African countries as it fought communism. However, relations in both Congo (formerly Zaire) and Rwanda have been inconsistent, particularly in Rwanda since the genocide.
The White House is currently concerned about the murders, massacres and rapes committed by the M23 rebel group in eastern Congo.
This Rwandan-backed group has been active for some time, but the last year has been exceptionally violent and the Congolese counteroffensive has deepened the humanitarian crisis.
China in focus
If the situation at the border continues to deteriorate, not only will there be an increase in atrocities, but we could also lose control of this conflict, which could spread to other African countries.
For Americans, the problems are many. First of all, there is the economic relationship with the government of the Congolese Felix Tshisekedi.
Further access to resources such as cobalt or lithium (the country has the largest untapped reserves in the world) would represent a significant gain for technological development (e.g. electric batteries).
After neglecting Africa for too long, the United States realizes that Russia has not made the same mistake. In addition, it is argued that Rwandan President Paul Kagame is imitating Vladimir Putin.
The final major concern is that China did not wait for the American awakening before becoming interested in Africa. The Americans have to catch up, which amounts to an adaptation of the Cold War, since China is already Congo’s first economic partner.
As I reviewed the conflict and the role of the Biden administration, I thought of Henry Kissinger.
If the humanitarian crisis were indeed real, the former giant of diplomacy would most likely have limited his analysis of the situation to strategic interests.
The domino theory was widely discussed during the Cold War. If back then we were afraid of the Soviet regime, which was gradually throwing the dominoes into its camp, in 2023 Joe Biden must stop China’s rapid progress.