US sanctions Rwanda gold refinery accused of smuggling DR…
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US sanctions Rwanda gold refinery accused of smuggling DR Congo's minerals
* The US has sanctioned a major gold refinery in Rwanda and two of its executives, accusing them of smuggling minerals from rebel-controlled areas of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
* Washington alleged what it described as a "network" was collaborating with the M23 rebel group, which commands tracts of DR Congo that are home to vast reserves of gold and coltan, a metallic ore key to making electronics.
* The sanctions, announced on Thursday, target the Gasabo Gold Refinery, its chairman Jean Malic Kalima and its general manager Bosco Kayobotsi.
* In a statement, the US alleged at least 60kg of gold, valued at millions of US dollars, were smuggled from eastern DR Congo to Gasabo Gold in early 2026.
* The statement accuses Rwandan government officials and soldiers of overseeing the system.
* Last year, Gasabo Gold Refinery was sanctioned by the European Union for "exploiting the armed conflict" in DR Congo.
* Three separate mining companies controlled by Kalima - Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation - were also sanctioned by the US.
* The move builds on a peace deal, spearheaded by the US and 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 also create a transparent minerals sector in the region.
* Donald Trump's administration also hopes the deal will boost US investment in minerals in the region, some experts believe.
* Fighting in eastern DR Congo has continued despite the peace deal being signed.
* On Wednesday, at a summit held to assess the impact of the agreement, officials from DR Congo, Rwanda and the US "expressed serious concern over the escalating fighting", a joint statement said.
#local
* The US has sanctioned a major gold refinery in Rwanda and two of its executives, accusing them of smuggling minerals from rebel-controlled areas of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
* Washington alleged what it described as a "network" was collaborating with the M23 rebel group, which commands tracts of DR Congo that are home to vast reserves of gold and coltan, a metallic ore key to making electronics.
* The sanctions, announced on Thursday, target the Gasabo Gold Refinery, its chairman Jean Malic Kalima and its general manager Bosco Kayobotsi.
* In a statement, the US alleged at least 60kg of gold, valued at millions of US dollars, were smuggled from eastern DR Congo to Gasabo Gold in early 2026.
* The statement accuses Rwandan government officials and soldiers of overseeing the system.
* Last year, Gasabo Gold Refinery was sanctioned by the European Union for "exploiting the armed conflict" in DR Congo.
* Three separate mining companies controlled by Kalima - Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation - were also sanctioned by the US.
* The move builds on a peace deal, spearheaded by the US and 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 also create a transparent minerals sector in the region.
* Donald Trump's administration also hopes the deal will boost US investment in minerals in the region, some experts believe.
* Fighting in eastern DR Congo has continued despite the peace deal being signed.
* On Wednesday, at a summit held to assess the impact of the agreement, officials from DR Congo, Rwanda and the US "expressed serious concern over the escalating fighting", a joint statement said.
#local
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