meta_id 3271203

On June 25, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Gasabo Gold Refinery LTD and a network of entities operating in coordination with the Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement (M23) to illegally smuggle minerals from eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Rwanda. The action supports the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed on December 4, 2025, by the leaders of the DRC and Rwanda, which established a Regional Economic Integration Framework designed to expand trade and investment and strengthen transparency across critical minerals supply chains. OFAC designated Gasabo Gold, its Chairman Jean Malic Kalima, General Manager Bosco Kayobotsi, and three mining companies controlled by Kalima—Bugambira Mines LTD, Wolfram Mining and Processing LTD, and Rwinkwavu Mining Corporation LTD. According to Treasury, Gasabo Gold acted as a key partner to Rwandan government officials and M23 rebels, facilitating the transport of gold extracted from M23-controlled areas in South Kivu. The refinery processed at least 60 kilograms of gold worth millions of dollars in early 2026. M23, designated as an armed group by both the United States and United Nations, has committed numerous human rights abuses and controls large portions of eastern DRC territory, including the provincial capitals Goma and Bukavu. The illicit mineral trade directly funds M23's destabilizing operations and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. All property and interests in property of designated persons held in the United States or controlled by U.S. persons are now blocked. U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions involving designated entities unless authorised by OFAC. Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing U.S. persons to violate sanctions or engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions.