The United States has imposed sanctions on a leading Rwandan gold refinery and several of its executives, accusing them of helping move conflict minerals out of rebel-held areas in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
The measures announced by the US Treasury target Gasabo Gold Refinery, its chairman Jean Malic Kalima and general manager Bosco Kayobotsi, along with three mining companies linked to Kalima. The sanctions form part of Washington’s broader effort to disrupt financial networks it says are helping fund the M23 rebel group.
According to the US government, Gasabo Gold Refinery played a central role in processing gold transported from territories controlled by the M23. Treasury officials allege that at least 60 kilograms of gold worth millions of dollars were moved from eastern DR Congo into Rwanda during early 2026 through a network overseen by Rwandan officials and soldiers before reaching the Kigali-based refinery.
The Treasury also sanctioned Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing, and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation, all of which it says are controlled by Kalima.
None of the sanctioned individuals or companies had publicly responded to the allegations. Any assets under US jurisdiction will be frozen, while American citizens and businesses are prohibited from conducting transactions with the designated parties.
Announcing the measures, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington was determined to stop armed groups from profiting through the illicit minerals trade and insisted that the Democratic Republic of Congo’s vast mineral wealth should benefit its own people rather than fuel conflict.
The latest sanctions add to growing international pressure on Rwanda over its alleged role in eastern Congo. Last year, the European Union also sanctioned Gasabo Gold Refinery, accusing it of benefiting from the armed conflict by processing illegally sourced gold. Rwanda has consistently denied supporting the M23 rebel movement and has previously criticised similar sanctions as unfair and politically one-sided.
Eastern DR Congo contains some of the world’s richest deposits of gold, coltan and other strategic minerals used in electronics manufacturing. United Nations experts and several Western governments have repeatedly accused Rwanda of backing M23 fighters operating in the region, allegations Kigali continues to reject.
The sanctions come months after Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a US-brokered peace agreement aimed at ending years of fighting and creating a transparent regional minerals trade. Analysts say Washington also hopes greater stability will encourage increased American investment in the region’s critical mineral sector.
Despite the agreement, clashes have continued across eastern Congo. During a meeting this week to assess progress under the peace deal, officials from the United States, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed concern over renewed fighting and called for efforts to reduce tensions.
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