The Democratic Republic of Congo, in the Light of the Energy Transition: A Prey State between the USA and China?

Abstract

The energy transition is a complex and multifaceted process that aims to replace fossil energy sources (such as coal, oil and gas) with renewable energy sources (such as wind, solar, hydroelectric and biomass) and improve energy efficiency. This transition is an element affecting International Relations, hence it deserves to be analyzed and studied, especially since States have seen the importance of this situation which is becoming a formidable issue leaving no part of the world indifferent. It should therefore be emphasized that in the approach relating to the energy transition, certain States are well ahead of others, and moreover, certain others are far away and others are not yet on track the line, because it is falling into enormous difficulties from a socio-economic point of view. It is important to mention that in current International Relations, the United States and China are the two main states in possession of the baton of command of the economic directive of the world. American supremacy and the rise of China’s power on the international scene are elements, like so many others, which push these Giants to maneuver at all costs in order not to lose the strategic position guiding the pace to follow in the current international system. In their positioning race, the issue of energy transition has arisen, which is how today the means are mobilized with the aim of not remaining on the sidelines at the risk of falling into deep delay and leave room for the opponent. It is obvious that we cannot, these days, talk about the energy transition without mentioning the Democratic Republic of Congo which is not only a solution country in environmental matters, but also one naturally endowed with the resources favoring the energy transition. The example of electric cars, which are today one of the alternatives to fight against atmospheric pollution, helps us to clearly realize that it is in the Democratic Republic of Congo that the eyes of the giants, and not without hands, are placed to obtain the related raw materials. However, the socio-economic conditions of the Congo remain catastrophic and leave room for reflection on an extreme paradox for a State that is naturally rich, but is sinking socio-economically into poverty. This is the motive of our main question seeking to know if the Democratic Republic of Congo is not a prey in the middle, mainly, of the USA and China which are in full race in the energy transition, and having the Congo as Source country, because it is full of resources for the cause, but only lives in misery and extreme poverty. This research aims to give an image of the dimension that the world is taking in the energy field, to highlight the point according to which the Congo plays a central role without being positively beneficial and to demonstrate the presence of the USA and China in the affair which positions them, increasing their influence on the international scene, but all this without any positive impact on the Congo, source and solution country.