US Sanctions Congo Armed Group as Fighting Flares Despite Trump-Brokered Ceasefire

The United States has slapped new sanctions on an armed faction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) accused of profiting from illicit mining, even as the DRC’s army and the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels traded fire — and traded blame — despite a recently signed U.S.-mediated ceasefire.

The Treasury Department on Tuesday announced restrictions on Pareco-FF, a militia that controlled the lucrative Rubaya coltan mine from 2022 to 2024 and has been fighting against the M23. The mine produces between 15% and 30% of the world’s coltan — a mineral essential for electronics from smartphones to laptops.

Washington also targeted Congolese mining firm CDMC, accusing it of selling minerals smuggled from Rubaya, along with two Hong Kong-based exporters — East Rise and Star Dragon — that allegedly bought from armed groups.

“The United States is sending a clear message that no armed group or commercial entity is immune from sanctions if they undermine peace, stability or security in the DRC,” State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said.

President Donald Trump’s administration has made no secret of its push to secure U.S. access to strategic minerals in Africa, a strategy also seen in Ukraine and other hotspots. The sanctions come just weeks after Washington hosted Congolese and Rwandan leaders for a separate minerals-focused peace deal.

Pareco’s roots go back to rebels who integrated into the DRC military in 2009, but Pareco-FF splintered off in 2022 in direct response to M23’s territorial gains. M23 now controls Rubaya and has been under U.S. sanctions for years.

The new measures land as both sides accuse each other of breaking the July ceasefire signed in Doha, which calls for a “permanent ceasefire.” DRC army spokesman Sylvain Ekenge blasted M23’s “almost daily” attacks as “intentional” violations, vowing Kinshasa’s forces would respond to provocations.

M23 spokesman Lawrence Kanyuka fired back on social media, accusing the government of “offensive military manoeuvres aimed at full-scale war.”

Despite the U.S. and Qatar-brokered deal, violence has escalated around Mulamba in South Kivu since Friday, with reports of heavy weapons fire and M23 pushing pro-government forces back several kilometres.

The DRC government and M23 have pledged to sign a permanent peace deal by August 18, but the latest fighting has put that commitment in jeopardy.