US intensifies pressure on M23 rebels and Rwanda over illegal gold trade

The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Gasabo Gold Refinery and its director, Jean Malic Kalima, for allegedly facilitating the illegal extraction, transport, and sale of gold originating from the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Washington claims the company collaborated closely with Rwandan government officials and the M23 rebel group. According to US authorities, Rwandan soldiers and M23 fighters secured the transport of gold to Bukavu before it was shipped to Kigali for refining.

In early 2026 alone, nearly 60 kilograms of gold—worth several million dollars—were illicitly transferred to Rwanda, according to US officials.

Financial penalties target illegal mineral trade

These sanctions aim to disrupt the financial lifelines of armed groups profiting from the plunder of the DRC’s natural resources. “The United States will not allow outlaw groups to exploit illegal mineral trade to destabilize the region. The DRC’s mineral wealth rightfully belongs to its people,” stated US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

The measures include freezing all assets held in the US by the refinery and its director, as well as prohibiting any American individuals or businesses from engaging in transactions with them. Foreign companies using the US dollar or operating subsidiaries in the US could also face restrictions.

The mineral trade fuels conflict in eastern DRC

Since resurging in late 2021, the M23 has seized control of vast territories in eastern DRC, rich in critical minerals. Kinshasa, the United Nations, and Western governments accuse Rwanda of providing military support to the rebel group—a claim repeatedly denied by Kigali.

The rebel group’s funding relies heavily on the exploitation and taxation of mineral resources. In April 2024, M23 forces took control of Rubaya, one of the world’s largest coltan mines, which supplies approximately 15% of global production—a mineral essential for smartphones, computers, and electronic devices.

Ongoing plunder of Congo’s resources

The US sanctions follow revelations by an international NGO, which reported that hundreds of tons of coltan illegally mined in eastern DRC were laundered in Rwanda before being exported to global supply chains feeding major electronics manufacturers.

UN experts estimate that around 120 tons of coltan were smuggled monthly from M23-controlled areas to Rwanda between May and October 2024.

These sanctions underscore Washington’s determination to dismantle not only armed groups but also the commercial networks enabling their operations. They also reignite debates on the traceability of strategic minerals and the accountability of global supply chain actors.