Latest news with #CODECO
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
US sanctions Congo militia tied to forced labour, smuggling in key mining zone
The US government on Tuesday sanctioned an armed group accused of illicit trading in minerals in eastern Congo as Washington tries to spearhead peace efforts there while pushing for US access to the region's minerals. The US is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals which were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya.(Representational Image/AP) A senior US government official who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement said the State and Treasury departments are sanctioning the CODECO armed group, which controlled the key coltan mining site of Rubaya from 2022 to early 2024. 'During this period, CODECO generated revenue by overseeing mining operations, collecting illegal fees and taxes for miners and engaging in mineral smuggling. It also imposed forced labour and executed civilians in mining areas under its control,' the official said in Washington. The US is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals which were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya, and two Hong Kong exporters, East Rise and Star Dragon, that purchased minerals from the mining area. The State Department said it is freezing the assets of the armed group and companies in the US or under US control and banning all transactions with them. Rubaya is currently under the control of the M23 rebel group, which is already targeted by US sanctions. The mining site lies in the heart of eastern Congo, a mineral-rich part of the Central African nation, which for decades has been ripped apart by violence from government forces and different armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, whose recent resurgence has escalated the conflict, worsening an already acute humanitarian crisis. In June, Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal facilitated by the US to help end the conflict while helping the US government and American companies gain access to critical minerals in the region. Congo and the M23 rebels have also agreed to sign a permanent peace deal by August 18, but renewed fighting has threatened this effort. On Tuesday, Congo and M23 both accused each other of violating the agreement by attacking each other's forces.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
U.S. announces sanctions against armed group and companies profiting from conflict minerals in Congo
Miners work at the D4 Gakombe coltan mining quarry in Rubaya, Democratic Republic of Congo, on Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Moses Sawasawa) DAKAR, Senegal — The U.S. government on Tuesday sanctioned an armed group accused of illicit trading in minerals in eastern Congo as Washington tries to spearhead peace efforts there while pushing for U.S. access to the region's minerals. A senior U.S. government official who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement said the State and Treasury departments are sanctioning the CODECO armed group, which controlled the key coltan mining site of Rubaya from 2022 to early 2024. 'During this period, CODECO generated revenue by overseeing mining operations, collecting illegal fees and taxes for miners and engaging in mineral smuggling. It also imposed forced labor and executed civilians in mining areas under its control,' the official said in Washington. Tin Jumps After Alphamin Evacuates Congo Mine as Rebels Advance A M23 soldier stands at mining pits in Rubaya, DRC. Photographer: Camille Laffont/AFP/Getty Images (CAMILLE LAFFONT/Photographer: CAMILLE LAFFONT/AF) The U.S. is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals which were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya, and two Hong Kong exporters, East Rise and Star Dragon, that purchased minerals from the mining area. The State Department said it is freezing the assets of the armed group and companies in the U.S. or under U.S. control and banning all transactions with them. Rubaya is currently under control of the M23 rebel group, which is already targeted by U.S. sanctions. The mining site lies in the heart of eastern Congo, a mineral-rich part of the Central African nation, which for decades has been ripped apart by violence from government forces and different armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, whose recent resurgence has escalated the conflict, worsening an already acute humanitarian crisis. In June, Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal facilitated by the U.S. to help end the conflict while helping the U.S. government and American companies gain access to critical minerals in the region. Congo and the M23 rebels have also agreed to sign a permanent peace deal by Aug. 18 but renewed fighting has threatened this effort. On Tuesday, Congo and M23 both accused each other of violating the agreement by attacking the others forces. Chinas CMOC Group Says Its Chairman, Vice Chair Have Resigned Workers direct lorry traffic in CMOC's Tenke Fungurume Mine in Democratic Republic of Congo. Photographer: Emmet Livingstone/AFP/Getty Images (EMMET LIVINGSTONE/Photographer: Emmet Livingstone/) ___ Kamale reported from Kinshasa, Congo. Kabumba reported from Goma, Congo. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in D.C. contributed to this report. Mark Banchereau, Jean-yves Kamale And Justin Kabumba, The Associated Press
The Hill
4 days ago
- Business
- The Hill
US announces sanctions against armed group and companies profiting from conflict minerals in Congo
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The U.S. government on Tuesday sanctioned an armed group accused of illicit trading in minerals in eastern Congo as Washington tries to spearhead peace efforts there while pushing for U.S. access to the region's minerals. A senior U.S. government official said the state and treasury departments are sanctioning the CODECO armed group, which controlled the key coltan mining site of Rubaya from 2022 to early 2024. 'During this period, CODECO generated revenue by overseeing mining operations, collecting illegal fees and taxes for miners and engaging in mineral smuggling. It also imposed forced labor and executed civilians in mining areas under its control,' the official said. The U.S. is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals that were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya, and two Hong Kong exporters, East Rise and Star Dragon, that purchased minerals from the mining area. The State Department said it is freezing the assets of the armed group and companies in the U.S. or under U.S. control and banning all transactions with them. Rubaya is currently under control of the M23 rebel group, which is already targeted by U.S. sanctions. The mining site lies in the heart of eastern Congo, a mineral-rich part of the Central African nation, which for decades has been ripped apart by violence from government forces and different armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, whose recent resurgence has escalated the conflict, worsening an already acute humanitarian crisis. In June, Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal facilitated by the U.S. to help end the conflict while helping the U.S. government and American companies gain access to critical minerals in the region. Congo and the M23 rebels have also agreed to sign a permanent peace deal by Aug. 18 but renewed fighting has threatened this effort. On Tuesday, Congo and M23 both accused each other of violating the agreement by attacking the others forces. ___
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
US announces sanctions against armed group and companies profiting from conflict minerals in Congo
DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The U.S. government on Tuesday sanctioned an armed group accused of illicit trading in minerals in eastern Congo as Washington tries to spearhead peace efforts there while pushing for U.S. access to the region's minerals. A senior U.S. government official said the state and treasury departments are sanctioning the CODECO armed group, which controlled the key coltan mining site of Rubaya from 2022 to early 2024. 'During this period, CODECO generated revenue by overseeing mining operations, collecting illegal fees and taxes for miners and engaging in mineral smuggling. It also imposed forced labor and executed civilians in mining areas under its control,' the official said. The U.S. is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals that were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya, and two Hong Kong exporters, East Rise and Star Dragon, that purchased minerals from the mining area. The State Department said it is freezing the assets of the armed group and companies in the U.S. or under U.S. control and banning all transactions with them. Rubaya is currently under control of the M23 rebel group, which is already targeted by U.S. sanctions. The mining site lies in the heart of eastern Congo, a mineral-rich part of the Central African nation, which for decades has been ripped apart by violence from government forces and different armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, whose recent resurgence has escalated the conflict, worsening an already acute humanitarian crisis. In June, Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal facilitated by the U.S. to help end the conflict while helping the U.S. government and American companies gain access to critical minerals in the region. Congo and the M23 rebels have also agreed to sign a permanent peace deal by Aug. 18 but renewed fighting has threatened this effort. On Tuesday, Congo and M23 both accused each other of violating the agreement by attacking the others forces. ___ Kamale reported from Kinshasa, Congo. Kabumba reported from Goma, Congo. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in D.C. contributed to this report.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
US announces sanctions against armed group and companies profiting from conflict minerals in Congo
The U.S. government on Tuesday sanctioned an armed group accused of illicit trading in minerals in eastern Congo as Washington tries to spearhead peace efforts there while pushing for U.S. access to the region's minerals. A senior U.S. government official said the state and treasury departments are sanctioning the CODECO armed group, which controlled the key coltan mining site of Rubaya from 2022 to early 2024. 'During this period, CODECO generated revenue by overseeing mining operations, collecting illegal fees and taxes for miners and engaging in mineral smuggling. It also imposed forced labor and executed civilians in mining areas under its control,' the official said. The U.S. is also sanctioning the Congolese mining company CDMC, saying it sold minerals that were sourced and smuggled from mines near Rubaya, and two Hong Kong exporters, East Rise and Star Dragon, that purchased minerals from the mining area. The State Department said it is freezing the assets of the armed group and companies in the U.S. or under U.S. control and banning all transactions with them. Rubaya is currently under control of the M23 rebel group, which is already targeted by U.S. sanctions. The mining site lies in the heart of eastern Congo, a mineral-rich part of the Central African nation, which for decades has been ripped apart by violence from government forces and different armed groups, including the Rwanda-backed M23, whose recent resurgence has escalated the conflict, worsening an already acute humanitarian crisis. In June, Congo and Rwanda signed a peace deal facilitated by the U.S. to help end the conflict while helping the U.S. government and American companies gain access to critical minerals in the region. Congo and the M23 rebels have also agreed to sign a permanent peace deal by Aug. 18 but renewed fighting has threatened this effort. On Tuesday, Congo and M23 both accused each other of violating the agreement by attacking the others forces. ___ Kamale reported from Kinshasa, Congo. Kabumba reported from Goma, Congo. Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in D.C. contributed to this report.
