The United States has imposed sanctions on an armed group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, accusing it of profiting from mineral trafficking. Congolese and Chinese companies linked to this illegal trade have also been sanctioned. This decision comes as Washington seeks to end the conflict in this mineral-rich region and attract US investment.

Kinshasa

The United States has imposed sanctions on a Congolese armed group and several mining companies accused of profiting from illegal mining activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The targeted group, Pareko FF, previously controlled the Rubaia mining complex, which produces a significant portion of the world's coltan, a mineral essential for electronics manufacturing. 

In addition to Pareko FF, a Congolese company and two Hong Kong-based firms involved in the trade have also been sanctioned. The measures block these entities' assets in the US and prohibit American businesses from engaging with them. The sanctions come amid ongoing US efforts to support peace in eastern Congo and secure access to critical minerals, although the current controllers of the Rubaia mines, the m23 rebels, have not been sanctioned.

DR Congo: U.S. sanctions armed group, mining firms

Thanks for joining us. Let's start in the Democratic Republic of Congo where the US government is cracking down on illicit mineral trading Washington has slaps sanctions on an armed group accusing it of profiting from illegal mining extorting miners and smuggling minerals Several mining firms are also facing penalties The move comes as the US ramps up peace efforts in the east while eyeing access to critical minerals Vital for its tech and energy industries. Emmett Livingstone has more now from Kinshasa The US Treasury has sanctioned several entities linked to the illegal trade of minerals in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Minerals have long sustained conflict in the troubled region and are mostly smuggled from Congo through its neighbors Rwanda and Uganda late on Tuesday Washington said it was sanctioning the Congolese armed group Pareko FF which controlled Eastern Congo's important Rubaia mining complex until last year Rubaia produces 15% of the world's coltan a mineral ore which is processed into tantalum a key component in electronics alongside the Pareko FF The US also sanctioned the Congolese company that bought the conflict minerals as well as two Hong Kong based firms involved in the trade These measures block the assets of the sanctioned entities in the US and also forbid American businesses from transacting with them These sanctions have come as a surprise Not least because it's now the m23 rebels who control the Rubaia mines and Washington hasn't sanctioned the m23 It's not clear exactly why but Washington is heavily invested in solving the crisis in Eastern Congo And it's supporting peace talks between Congo and the rebel group as well as between Congo and Rwanda the state that backs the m23 The Trump administration has also been clear that it's interested in the region's minerals in a statement a US Treasury Undersecretary John K Harley said the United States would not hesitate to take action against groups that deny the US access to the critical minerals vital for its national defense

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