The United States has imposed sanctions on a major gold refinery in Rwanda and two of its top executives, alleging they are part of a network involved in smuggling minerals from rebel-held areas of the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. The Treasury Department announced the sanctions on Thursday, targeting Gasabo Gold Refinery, its chairman Jean Malic Kalima, and general manager Bosco Kayobotsi.
According to the U.S. statement, the network is accused of collaborating with the M23 rebel group, which controls territory in eastern DR Congo rich in gold and coltan, a critical component for electronics. The U.S. alleges that at least 60 kilograms of gold, valued in the millions of dollars, were smuggled from eastern DR Congo to Gasabo Gold in early 2026. Rwandan government officials and soldiers were accused of overseeing this illicit trade.
This action is part of a broader U.S. effort to combat the destabilization of the region fueled by the illegal mineral trade. "The United States will not allow rogue groups to profit from the illicit mineral trade and destabilise the region," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated. "The Democratic Republic of the Congo's mineral wealth rightfully belongs to the Congolese people."
Gasabo Gold Refinery was previously sanctioned by the European Union last year for allegedly exploiting the armed conflict in DR Congo. Additionally, three mining companies controlled by Kalima – Bugambira Mines, Wolfram Mining and Processing, and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation – were also sanctioned by the U.S.
Assets belonging to the sanctioned parties that are under U.S. jurisdiction will be frozen, and American citizens and companies are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The sanctioned parties have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The sanctions come as efforts to promote peace and transparency in the region continue. The U.S. has been instrumental in a peace deal signed in December by the presidents of Rwanda and DR Congo, aimed at ending the protracted conflict in eastern DR Congo and fostering a transparent minerals sector. Despite the peace agreement, fighting in eastern DR Congo has persisted. Officials from DR Congo, Rwanda, and the U.S. recently expressed "serious concern over the escalating fighting" during a summit assessing the impact of the peace accord.