The United States has imposed tough new sanctions on a Congolese militia group, a local mining company, and two exporters in Hong Kong. The move, announced under President Donald Trump’s administration, aims to block the trade of minerals linked to armed conflict in eastern Congo and stop funding to groups fueling violence in the region.
Sanctions Target Armed Group and Businesses Linked to Mineral Smuggling
The sanctioned militia is called the Coalition des Patriotes Resistants Congolais-Forces de Frappe, also known as PARECO-FF. According to US officials, this group controlled several mining sites in the Rubaya area between 2022 and 2024. Rubaya is a mineral-rich region that produces about 15% of the world’s coltan. Coltan is used to make tantalum, a heat-resistant metal found in mobile phones, computers, aircraft, and medical devices.
The US Treasury Department said the militia profited from these mining sites and fueled ongoing conflict in the area. The sanctions mean that American companies and individuals are banned from doing business with the group. Any assets they may have in the US will also be frozen.
🔥 Eduardo Bolsonaro warns Trump ready to unleash tougher sanctions on Brazil
These measures are part of the administration’s efforts to bring peace to eastern Congo. Officials say the goal is to cut off the funding that fuels armed violence in the region.
Mining and Export Companies in the Spotlight
The sanctions also target a Congolese mining company called Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo, or CDMC. US officials say the company sold minerals that were smuggled from areas controlled by PARECO-FF.
Two export companies based in Hong Kong have also been sanctioned. They are East Rise Corporation Limited and Star Dragon Corporation Limited. Officials accuse them of buying minerals from illegal sources in Congo.
The new measures restrict trade between these companies and any US businesses or individuals. They are designed to raise the cost of trading in illegal minerals and make it more appealing for companies to buy only from legal sources. The Trump administration believes that a stable and peaceful eastern Congo could attract billions of dollars in Western investment.
Ongoing Conflict and Peace Talks
The sanctions come at a time when eastern Congo is facing intense violence. Earlier this year, a rebel group known as M23 made quick advances in the region. This has led to heavy fighting, with thousands of people killed. Many international groups, including the United Nations, say Rwanda is supporting M23 with troops and weapons, although Rwanda denies this.
🎓 Thousands of Aussie students storm streets, demand Israel sanctions in defiant uprising
A recent United Nations report said that Congo’s army had worked with PARECO-FF in late 2024 and early 2025. This shows the complex network of alliances in the conflict, as various armed groups and militias operate in the region.
Peace talks are currently taking place in Qatar between Congo’s government and M23. At the same time, the United States is hosting separate talks between Congo and Rwanda. While M23 has been linked to illegal mining, it has already been under US and UN sanctions for several years due to serious human rights abuses, including violence against children and forced displacement of civilians.
Last year, the US also sanctioned another rebel alliance that includes M23 as a key member. The latest measures focus specifically on PARECO-FF and the companies connected to its mineral trade.
US officials say these sanctions are part of a broader strategy to target those who profit from conflict and disrupt peace efforts. By cutting off illegal funding sources, they aim to weaken the financial power of armed groups in eastern Congo.
