The DRC seeks to offer key minerals to the U.S., but rebel forces and China largely control access to these vital rare earth resources, which are said to be worth trillions of dollars.

In 1956, Britain and Egypt relinquished their colonial control over Sudan, forming the newly independent Republic ... including two civil wars. The second Sudanese civil war lasted from 1983 ...

His prospects were bleak: Rome was dangerous, engulfed by civil war between power-hungry factions ... he was ruling in the best traditions of the republic, but actually was an absolute ruler ...