Us sanctions rwandan gold refinery over dr Congo mineral smuggling

Crédit photo, Getty Images

The United States has imposed sanctions on a major gold refinery in Rwanda and two of its executives, accusing them of smuggling minerals from rebel-held areas in the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.

Washington stated that what it described as a “network” was collaborating with the M23 rebel group, which controls parts of DR Congo that contain vast reserves of gold and coltan, a metallic ore essential for electronics manufacturing.

Despite overwhelming evidence provided by UN experts, Rwanda has long denied supporting the M23.

The Rwandan government has not responded to the latest US sanctions, but has previously described similar measures against Rwanda as unfair and biased.

The sanctions, announced on Thursday, target the Gasabo gold refinery, its president Jean Malic Kalima, and its managing director Bosco Kayobotsi.

In a statement, the US asserted that at least 60 kg of gold, worth several million US dollars, had been smuggled from eastern DR Congo to Gasabo Gold earlier in 2026.

The statement accuses Rwandan government officials and soldiers of overseeing this system.

Last year, the Gasabo Gold refinery had already been sanctioned by the European Union for “profiting from the armed conflict” in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Three separate mining companies controlled by Mr Kalima – Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing, and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation – were also sanctioned by the US on Thursday.

The sanctioned entities have not responded to requests for comment.

All assets they hold under US jurisdiction will be frozen. The sanctions also prevent American citizens and businesses 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,” said Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“The mineral wealth of the Democratic Republic of Congo rightfully belongs to the Congolese people.”

This initiative builds on a US-brokered peace deal 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 create a transparent mining sector in the region.

The administration of Donald Trump also hopes the deal will boost US investment in the region’s minerals, according to some experts.

Fighting in eastern DR Congo continues despite the signing of the peace accord.

On Wednesday, at a summit convened to assess the deal’s impact, officials from DR Congo, Rwanda and the United States “expressed grave concern over the escalation of fighting,” according to a joint statement.