The DRC is not remotely in any way a colonial vassal. It's laughable to suggest they could be exploited by 'Colonial Powers' when they can't even get electrici

The DRC is not remotely in any way a colonial vassal. It's laughable to suggest they could be exploited by 'Colonial Powers' when they can't even get electricity where they need it. 'Outside Force' for exploitation, sure, but it's always been thus. 'Western Influence' - sure, but mostly in the name of 'stability'. The 'West' can really only benefit from these places when they are stable enough to start to form contracts for export, which most of these places are not. Those that are, and ruled by dictators, fine, as long as it's 'stable' and as a state they play well. Otherwise, the 'big prize' is when these places are stable enough that they have 'consumers' who can 'consume' iPhones and KFC. How many iPhones exported to DNC? How many iPhones can they buy when it's total rampant murder and chaos? How many can they buy when the are stable, have an industrial base, have banking, laws etc? Which situation do you think Apple, Google, Amazon, Disney prefer?