The United States announced sanctions targeting a Congolese armed group, a local mining company, and two Hong Kong-based exporters over involvement in armed violence and the illicit trade of critical minerals.

The Treasury Department said the measures apply to the Coalition des Patriotes Resistants Congolais-Forces de Frappe (PARECO-FF), a militia that controlled mining sites in the Rubaya region from 2022 to 2024.

Rubaya, now under the control of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels, produces about 15% of the world’s coltan, a mineral used to make tantalum for electronics, aerospace, and medical industries.

Sanctions also target the Congolese mining company Cooperative des Artisanaux Miniers du Congo (CDMC), accused of selling minerals sourced from PARECO-FF areas, and the Hong Kong-based exporters East Rise Corporation Limited and Star Dragon Corporation Limited, which reportedly purchased the minerals.

The measures restrict these entities from trading with U.S. companies and individuals.

A senior U.S. official said the sanctions aim to increase the cost of illicit trade and make legal commerce more appealing. “We want all parties to realize there would be a brighter economic future if U.S. companies had confidence they could invest in a stable and peaceful eastern Congo,” the official said.

The sanctions come amid ongoing peace talks. Qatar is hosting direct negotiations between Congo and M23, while Washington is facilitating talks between Congo and Rwanda.

The United Nations and Western powers have accused Rwanda of supporting M23 with troops and arms, a claim Rwanda denies, asserting its forces are acting in self-defense.

Experts noted that targeting PARECO-FF rather than M23 may be intended to avoid disrupting the diplomatic process.

M23 has previously faced U.S. and U.N. sanctions for human rights abuses, including killings, sexual violence, and forced displacement.

The Trump administration views the sanctions as a way to pressure “spoilers” profiting from illegal mineral trade while encouraging investment in Congo’s mineral-rich eastern region, which holds tantalum, gold, cobalt, copper, and lithium.

Requests for comment from Congolese officials, CDMC, East Rise, Star Dragon, and PARECO-FF were not immediately returned.