US escalates pressure on Rwanda and M23 over illegal mineral trade

In a decisive move to curb illegal mineral trafficking, the United States has imposed sanctions on Gasabo Gold Refinery, a Rwandan gold processing company, and its director, Jean Malic Kalima. American authorities accuse the company of playing a central role in facilitating the extraction, transport, and resale of gold illegally mined in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

According to US officials, the company allegedly maintained close ties with both Rwandan government officials and M23 rebels. The operation involved Rwandan soldiers and armed group fighters securing the gold transport routes from eastern DRC to Bukavu, before shipping it to Kigali for processing.

The Treasury Department revealed that in the early months of 2026 alone, nearly 60 kilograms of gold—worth several million dollars—were smuggled into Rwanda through these illicit channels.

This sanction announcement arrives amid mounting accusations of systematic looting of DRC’s natural resources and persistent violence in the country’s eastern provinces.

Financial measures target rebel financing networks

The newly announced sanctions are designed to disrupt the financial lifelines of armed groups profiting from illegal mineral exploitation. Washington has made it clear that it will not tolerate the exploitation of Congo’s mineral wealth by outlaw factions seeking to destabilize the region.

“The United States will not allow armed groups to benefit from illegal mineral trade that fuels regional instability. The mineral resources of the DRC rightfully belong to the Congolese people,” declared US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in an official statement.

The measures include freezing all assets held by Gasabo Gold Refinery and Jean Malic Kalima within US jurisdiction. The restrictions also prohibit any American individuals or entities from engaging in transactions with the sanctioned parties. Foreign companies using the US financial system or operating subsidiaries in the country could face similar consequences.

The mineral trade: a key driver of conflict in eastern DRC

Since its resurgence in late 2021, the M23 armed group has seized control of vast territories in eastern DRC, regions rich in strategic minerals. Kinshasa, along with the United Nations and Western governments, has repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing military support to the rebels—a claim consistently denied by Kigali.

The mining sector has emerged as the primary revenue source for the rebel movement. In April 2024, M23 fighters seized Rubaya, home to one of the world’s largest coltan mines. This strategic location accounts for approximately 15% of global coltan production, a mineral essential for manufacturing smartphones, laptops, and other electronic devices.

The armed group imposes hefty taxes on mineral extraction and trade, generating substantial income to fund its operations.

New revelations about Congo’s plundered resources

The US sanctions follow a recent investigation by the NGO Global Witness, which exposed how hundreds of tons of coltan illegally extracted in eastern DRC were laundered in Rwanda before being exported to international smelters supplying major electronics manufacturers.

UN experts estimate that between May and October 2024, around 120 tons of coltan were exported monthly from M23-controlled zones to Rwanda.

These latest sanctions underscore Washington’s commitment to dismantling not only the armed groups but also the commercial networks that enable their operations. They also reignite discussions about mineral traceability and the responsibilities of international actors within global supply chains.