April 27, 2026 at 6:07 am KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Congo on Monday announced the creation of a paramilitary guard to secure its vast mining operations, backed by U.S. and Emirati investments, as Washington tries to lock in access to critical minerals amid a fragile peace process in the troubled east. The central African country’s General Inspectorate of Mines said in a statement the new unit would be deployed gradually, with an initial 2,500 to 3,000 personnel expected to be operational by December following six months of training in military collaboration. The paramilitary force is projected to have more than 20,000 personnel across all of Congo’s 22 mining provinces by the end of 2028, with the aim of boosting investor confidence and strengthening state oversight of mineral production. The $100 million program is funded through partnerships with the United States and United Arab Emirates, the statement said.…