The United States has imposed sanctions on two individuals and four entities accused of supporting networks that smuggle conflict minerals out of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to benefit the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group. The move, announced by the US State Department on Thursday, aims to disrupt illicit mineral trade and support the implementation of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity.
Sanctions Target Mineral Smuggling Networks
In a post on X, US State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said, "The US is sanctioning six targets supporting networks smuggling conflict minerals out of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to benefit the Rwanda-backed M23 armed group. Our actions support the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. The DRC's mineral wealth should be a source of opportunity for the Congolese people, not a driver of instability."
According to a State Department press statement, those sanctioned include Gasabo Gold Refinery LTD, its chairman Jeal Malic Kalima, and three other Rwandan mining companies. The statement accused M23 and its supporters of exploiting the DRC's mineral wealth to finance the insurgency.
M23 Exploitation of Mineral Resources
The State Department said, "M23 and its backers exploit the DRC's vast mineral resources -- wealth that rightfully belongs to the Congolese people--to fund weapons, pay fighters, and sustain a destabilizing insurgency that has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis." The sanctions directly support the implementation of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, which the department described as a "historic agreement" brokered by President Donald Trump between the DRC and Rwanda.
Support for Washington Accords
"The Accords chart a new course for Africa's Great Lakes region, including through transparent, traceable, and fully licit mineral supply chains outlined in the Regional Economic Integration Framework," the statement said. It added, "Ensuring the region's mineral wealth drives growth rather than violence will unlock greater opportunity for legitimate companies to invest in the region and will secure access to critical minerals vital to US industries."
Call for Accountability in Supply Chains
Calling for greater accountability across global supply chains, the United States urged governments, businesses, and financial institutions to end the illicit trade in conflict minerals. "The United States calls on all actors to halt the illicit trade of conflict minerals, which finances armed groups, enables forced and child labour, and perpetuates sexual violence in mining communities," the statement said. It further urged that "all mineral supply chain actors, including end-users and financial institutions, should ensure they consistently implement responsible practices and leverage their role to incentivise development of a fully licit, transparent minerals sector."
Building on Previous Sanctions
The State Department said the latest measures build on sanctions imposed in August 2025 against conflict minerals traffickers and demonstrate that the United States "will impose consequences on those who profit from eastern DRC's suffering." The sanctions were imposed under the authorities of Executive Order 13413, as amended. Executive Order 13413 is a US presidential directive issued by George W. Bush on October 27, 2006, that establishes the framework for US sanctions related to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
