Mercenary network linked to Erik Prince operates in eastern DRC for mineral access

The Times reports that Tim Kennedy, a former US special forces operator, was recruited by Erik Prince for a covert mission in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, part of a broader pattern of private military contractors securing mineral wealth for Western interests. The claim is based on investigative reporting, with details of contracts and operational scope unverified. This signals an escalation in privatized conflict tied to critical mineral supply chains.