TITLE: US Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control Designates Democratic Republic of Congo-Related Entities and Individuals
BODY:
On June 25, 2026, the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added four entities and two individuals to its Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List) in connection with illicit conflict minerals trade from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The designated entities include Bugambira Mines Ltd, Gasabo Gold Refinery Ltd, Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation Ltd, and Wolfram Mining and Processing Ltd, all based in Rwanda. The two designated individuals are Kalima Karekezi, Jean Malic and Kayobotsi, Bosco, both from Kigali, Rwanda.
OFAC linked Gasabo Gold Refinery Ltd to the M23 armed group, which operates in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The other three mining entities are connected to Kalima Karekezi, Jean Malic. These designations target networks enabling the illicit trade of conflict minerals, which finance armed groups and fuel regional instability. The action reflects US efforts to disrupt supply chains supporting illegal mining operations and armed conflict in the region.
Simultaneously, OFAC issued Russia-related General License 131G, authorizing certain transactions for the negotiation of and entry into contingent contracts for the sale of Lukoil International GmbH and related maintenance activities. OFAC also updated two Russia-related Frequently Asked Questions, FAQs 1224 and 1225. Additionally, OFAC made administrative corrections to existing SDN List entries for multiple individuals and entities, fixing errors in their listings without imposing new sanctions.
All US persons and entities are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the newly designated individuals and entities. Entities and individuals already subject to OFAC sanctions remain blocked, and their assets within US jurisdiction are frozen.