In late August, Tim Kennedy, a former US special forces soldier and mixed martial arts fighter, embarked on a covert mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under the direction of Erik Prince, a former Navy SEAL and close ally of former President Donald Trump. The mission, arranged through Prince’s security firm Vectus Global, was initially presented as an effort to assist the Congolese government in curbing revenue losses from smuggling and tax evasion in the mining sector. However, it has evolved into a more active military engagement supporting Congolese forces battling rebel groups in the mineral-rich eastern regions of the country.
The mission turned perilous on September 17, when a convoy carrying a team of contractors and Congolese soldiers was ambushed in South Kivu province. Kennedy was shot multiple times in the leg during the attack, which resulted in approximately 20 casualties, including seven Congolese nationals and Justin Conaglen, a former New Zealand SAS lance corporal. Another foreign contractor was also wounded. Two sources indicated that the Rwandan military was responsible for the attack, although Rwanda denies involvement despite UN reports linking it to support for the M23 rebel group operating in the region.
Following the ambush, Kennedy was evacuated from the DRC and is currently receiving medical treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center outside Washington, D.C. The incident has drawn attention to the use of foreign mercenaries in the ongoing conflict and has raised concerns about the risks and objectives of such private military operations.
Prince’s involvement in the DRC forms part of a broader US strategic interest in gaining access to the country’s cobalt, copper, lithium, and tantalum reserves—minerals essential for electric vehicles, electronics, and defense technology. Some Congolese officials have described the partnership with the US as “peace for minerals.” According to a United Nations panel of experts, Prince’s contract extends beyond financial investigations to include covert military activities such as border security, aerial surveillance, and recruiting foreign soldiers to assist Congolese forces in reclaiming territory from rebels.
The complexities of foreign military involvement in the DRC reflect a long history of mercenary activity in the region, dating back to the 1960s when groups like Mike Hoare’s “Wild Geese” fought openly during the Congo crisis. Today’s contractors operate in a more technologically advanced and politically sensitive environment, with drone surveillance and sophisticated weaponry playing significant roles.
Prince, who has publicly advocated for renewed American imperial involvement in Africa, is also known for his controversial statements about governance on the continent. His company Blackwater gained notoriety for its contracts during the US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his current activities in the DRC have revived debates about the ethics and legality of private military contractors in conflict zones.
Kennedy, who has a high-profile civilian career as a media personality and podcaster, has previously faced scrutiny over his military honors after acknowledging that he misstated certain aspects of his service record. Nonetheless, his recent experiences in the DRC underscore the dangerous realities faced by contractors involved in the region’s ongoing conflicts amid competing geopolitical and economic interests.