US sanctions armed group, companies profiting from illegal mining in DRC
The action comes amid a humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels and other armed groups have displaced millions.
The United States has sanctioned an armed group and several companies accused of profiting from illegal mining in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), part of what it describes as a wider effort to choke off funding for militias destabilising the region.
The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced measures on Tuesday against the Coalition des Patriotes Résistants Congolais–Force de Frappe (PARECO-FF), a successor to the long-running PARECO militia, as well as one Congolese mining company and two Hong Kong-based mineral traders.
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"The conflict minerals trade is exacting a deadly toll on Congolese civilians, fueling corruption, and preventing law-abiding businesses from investing in the DRC," said John K. Hurley, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
"The Treasury Department will not hesitate to take action against groups that deny the United States and our allies access to the critical minerals vital for our national defence."
PARECO-FF, which emerged in 2022, has controlled mining sites in Rubaya - an area rich in critical minerals used in electronics - imposing forced labour, illegal taxation, and smuggling.
According to OFAC, the group's activities have been aided by the Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC), which operated on Rubaya's largest concession and sold minerals sourced from militia-controlled areas.
CDMC's buyers included East Rise Corporation Limited and Star Dragon Corporation Limited, both based in Hong Kong.
The sanctions freeze any US assets belonging to the designated entities and bar American individuals and firms from doing business with them.
They also extend to any entity owned 50% or more by one or more of the designated parties.
OFAC reminded companies and financial institutions that violations of US sanctions can attract civil or criminal penalties, and that the ultimate aim of such measures "is not to punish, but to bring about a positive behaviour change."
The action comes amid a humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels and other armed groups have displaced millions.
Washington says it remains committed to a negotiated settlement, pointing to its role in brokering the DRC-Rwanda peace agreement signed on June 27, 2025.
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