DRC transfers $17.6 million to U.S. defense firm amid missing funds allegations

A transfer of 17.6 million dollars from a Congolese public account to Texas Armament & Technology (TX-AT), a U.S. defense firm, has raised concerns regarding financial transparency and potential misappropriation. The transaction, reportedly executed on May 29, 2025, from the Democratic Republic of the Congo's Ministry of Finance, lacks clear contractual documentation or administrative justification.

Questions have emerged regarding approximately 5.6 million dollars that was allegedly intended for the Kennedy Center, a Washington cultural institution directed by Richard Grenell. To date, no record of this specific payment has been found. The absence of accounting justifications and formal authorizations has led to suspicions that the funds may have been diverted, potentially to secure influence within American political circles.