US sanctions Rwanda gold refinery accused of smuggling DR Congo's minerals
The US has sanctioned a major gold refinery in Rwanda and two of its executives, accusing them of smuggling minerals from rebel-controlled areas of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Washington alleged what it described as a "network" was collaborating with the M23 rebel group, which commands tracts of DR Congo that are home to vast reserves of gold and coltan, a metallic ore key to making electronics.
Despite overwhelming evidence from the likes of UN experts, Rwanda has long denied supporting the M23.
The government there has not responded to the US' recent sanctions, but have previously described similar measures against Rwanda as unfair and one-sided.
The sanctions, announced on Thursday, target the Gasabo Gold Refinery, its chairman Jean Malic Kalima and its general manager Bosco Kayobotsi.
In a statement, the US alleged at least 60kg of gold, valued at millions of US dollars, were smuggled from eastern DR Congo to Gasabo Gold in early 2026.
The statement accuses Rwandan government officials and soldiers of overseeing the system.
Last year, Gasabo Gold Refinery was sanctioned by the European Union for "exploiting the armed conflict" in DR Congo.
Three separate mining companies controlled by Kalima - Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation - were also sanctioned by the US on Thursday.
The sanctioned parties have not responded to the BBC's requests for comment.
Any assets they have under US jurisdiction will be frozen. The sanctions also bar American citizens and companies from dealing with the designated parties.
"The United States will not allow rogue groups to profit from the illicit mineral trade and destabilise the region," Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said.
"The Democratic Republic of the Congo's mineral wealth rightfully belongs to the Congolese people."
The move builds on a peace deal, spearheaded by the US and signed last December by the presidents of Rwanda and DR Congo.
The agreement aims to end the long-running conflict in eastern DR Congo and also create a transparent minerals sector in the region.
Donald Trump's administration also hopes the deal will boost US investment in minerals in the region, some experts believe.
Fighting in eastern DR Congo has continued despite the peace deal being signed.
On Wednesday, at a summit held to assess the impact of the agreement, officials from DR Congo, Rwanda and the US "expressed serious concern over the escalating fighting", a joint statement said.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Gasabo Gold Refinery, its chairman, and its general manager, citing allegations of mineral smuggling from conflict zones in the Democratic Republic of Congo. US authorities allege the operation involved collaboration with the M23 rebel group and coordination with Rwandan government officials and soldiers. The sanctions cover at least 60 kilograms of gold allegedly smuggled in early 2026. Three additional mining companies controlled by the refinery's chairman were also sanctioned. The EU previously applied similar measures against Gasabo Gold. Rwanda's government has not responded to the new sanctions but has previously disputed comparable actions as unfair. The sanctioned parties deny involvement. Asset freezes and restrictions on US business dealings with the designated entities now apply.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
The US has sanctioned a major gold refinery in Rwanda and two of its executives, accusing them of smuggling minerals from rebel-controlled areas of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Washington alleged what it described as a "network" was collaborating with the M23 rebel group, which commands tracts of DR Congo that are home to vast reserves of gold and coltan, a metallic ore key to making electronics.
Despite overwhelming evidence from the likes of UN experts, Rwanda has long denied supporting the M23.
The government there has not responded to the US' recent sanctions, but have previously described similar measures against Rwanda as unfair and one-sided.
The sanctions, announced on Thursday, target the Gasabo Gold Refinery, its chairman Jean Malic Kalima and its general manager Bosco Kayobotsi.
In a statement, the US alleged at least 60kg of gold, valued at millions of US dollars, were smuggled from eastern DR Congo to Gasabo Gold in early 2026.
The statement accuses Rwandan government officials and soldiers of overseeing the system.
Last year, Gasabo Gold Refinery was sanctioned by the European Union for "exploiting the armed conflict" in DR Congo.
Three separate mining companies controlled by Kalima - Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation - were also sanctioned by the US on Thursday.
The sanctioned parties have not responded to the BBC's requests for comment.
Any assets they have under US jurisdiction will be frozen. The sanctions also bar American citizens and companies from dealing with the designated parties.
"The United States will not allow rogue groups to profit from the illicit mineral trade and destabilise the region," Treasury secretary Scott Bessent said.
"The Democratic Republic of the Congo's mineral wealth rightfully belongs to the Congolese people."
The move builds on a peace deal, spearheaded by the US and signed last December by the presidents of Rwanda and DR Congo.
The agreement aims to end the long-running conflict in eastern DR Congo and also create a transparent minerals sector in the region.
Donald Trump's administration also hopes the deal will boost US investment in minerals in the region, some experts believe.
Fighting in eastern DR Congo has continued despite the peace deal being signed.
On Wednesday, at a summit held to assess the impact of the agreement, officials from DR Congo, Rwanda and the US "expressed serious concern over the escalating fighting", a joint statement said.
Read the full story at BBC ↗
The US sanctioned Gasabo Gold Refinery, its chairman Jean Malic Kalima, and general manager Bosco Kayobotsi The sanctions allege that at least 60kg of gold valued at millions of dollars were smuggled from eastern DR Congo to Gasabo Gold in early 2026 The US alleged a network was collaborating with the M23 rebel group and that Rwandan government officials and soldiers oversaw the smuggling system Rwanda has long denied supporting M23 despite overwhelming evidence from UN experts The EU previously sanctioned Gasabo Gold Refinery for exploiting the armed conflict in DR Congo Three mining companies controlled by Kalima—Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing, and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation—were also sanctioned by the US US sanctions freeze assets under US jurisdiction and bar American citizens and companies from dealing with designated parties The Treasury secretary stated the US will not allow 'rogue groups' to profit from illicit mineral trade The sanctioned parties have not responded to requests for comment Rwanda's government described similar previous sanctions as unfair and one-sided The sanctions build on a peace deal signed in December between Rwanda and DR Congo, aimed at ending the conflict and creating a transparent minerals sector Fighting in eastern DR Congo has continued despite the peace deal
Read the full story at BBC ↗
- The US sanctioned Rwanda's Gasabo Gold Refinery and three mining companies for allegedly smuggling minerals from rebel-controlled eastern DR Congo
- The sanctions target refinery executives Jean Malic Kalima and Bosco Kayobotsi, with accusations of collaborating with the M23 rebel group
- At least 60kg of gold worth millions was allegedly smuggled from DR Congo to the refinery in early 2026
- Rwanda denies supporting M23 despite UN evidence; the EU previously sanctioned Gasabo Gold for exploiting the armed conflict
- The sanctions freeze US-based assets and prohibit American entities from dealing with the designated parties