Overview

• The Treasury Department designated the militia known as PARECO-FF, accused of controlling Rubaya mining operations from 2022 to 2024, and froze its assets under Executive Order 13413.
• Sanctions extend to Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC) and Hong Kong-based exporters East Rise Corporation Limited and Star Dragon Corporation Limited for trafficking coltan extracted from Rubaya through forced labor and illegal smuggling.
• U.S. officials estimate that Rubaya supplies roughly 15% of global coltan and say profits from illegal fees, forced labor and smuggling have funded armed conflict and civilian abuses.
• These measures build on existing sanctions on the M23 rebel group to raise the cost of illicit trade and support licit supply chains under U.S.-brokered minerals-for-security and economic frameworks.
• Disputes over whether PARECO-FF or CODECO was designated highlight attribution challenges that could complicate enforcement as ceasefire breaches continue in eastern DRC.