Frontline Support Reported: Erik Prince Team Flies Drones in Uvira

A private security team linked to Erik Prince, the founder of the former Blackwater firm and an ally of U.S. President Donald Trump, provided drone-related support to the Democratic Republic of Congo’s security forces during efforts to secure the strategic eastern city of Uvira, according to multiple people briefed on the mission. The sources said the contractors helped operate drones alongside Congolese forces during a period of heightened pressure from AFC/M23 rebels near the Burundi border.

Uvira, an important base for Congolese forces in South Kivu, drew international attention after AFC/M23 fighters briefly seized it in December, a development that Reuters described as a major setback to U.S.- and Qatar-backed peace efforts. The rebels later withdrew after Washington issued warnings of consequences, Reuters reported.

Drone support reported during a critical push

Four people briefed on the operation told Reuters that Prince deployed a private security force to help Congolese troops secure Uvira, including operating drones. Reuters noted the use of drones in Congo’s military efforts had not been previously reported.

One source described as a senior Congolese security official told Reuters the presence of U.S.-linked contractors could act as a deterrent, suggesting AFC/M23 might avoid escalating if it risked direct confrontation with Prince’s personnel. Reuters also reported the team subsequently withdrew from Uvira and returned to what sources described as its primary assignment: supporting Congo’s efforts to improve tax revenue collection tied to the country’s mineral sector.

Prince’s spokesperson declined to comment to Reuters. The Congolese presidency and a local army spokesperson did not respond to Reuters’ questions.

However, the Uvira episode represents the first known instance according to Reuters of Prince-linked private security forces being involved “on the frontline” in Congo’s long-running conflict.

A person briefed on the operation told Reuters Congolese forces “pulled in every resource they could” to retake and stabilize Uvira, before shifting attention back to the tax and revenue project. Another source told Reuters similar deployments could occur again if requested by Kinshasa.