US sanctions Congo militias, Hong Kong exporters over smuggled minerals

The United States has sanctioned an armed group aligned with Congo’s military, a Congolese mining company, and two Hong Kong-based exporters over alleged links to violence and illegal mining.

• The United States imposed sanctions on groups and companies linked to violence and illegal mining in Congo.
• These actions target the exploitation of conflict minerals in the region.
• Sanctioned entities include PARECO-FF, a Congolese miner, and Hong Kong-based exporters.

The United States has sanctioned an armed group aligned with Congo’s military, a Congolese mining company, and two Hong Kong-based exporters over alleged links to violence and illegal mining.

Officials described the action as part of efforts to curb the exploitation of conflict minerals in the region.

The measures are the latest by President Donald Trump’s administration to push for peace in eastern Congo, where Rwanda-backed M23 rebels launched a rapid offensive earlier this year, triggering violence that has killed thousands.

The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced penalties against PARECO-FF, a successor to an armed faction accused of “destabilising activities” in the DRC.

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According to the Treasury, the group has carried out forced labour and civilian executions in mining areas under its control.

Sanctions entities

The sanctions, which bar trade with U.S. entities and individuals, also target Congolese miner Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC).

The U.S. Treasury said the company sold critical minerals smuggled from areas controlled by the PARECO-FF armed group. Hong Kong-based exporters East Rise Corporation Limited and Star Dragon Corporation Limited were also sanctioned for allegedly purchasing those minerals.

The sanctions focus on activities in Rubaya, a mineral-rich area in eastern Congo that is one of the world’s largest sources of tantalum ore, a critical material used in electronics.

The U.S. hopes that a future peace agreement will help draw billions of dollars in Western investment to a region rich in tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, lithium, and other minerals.

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