Trump Puts African Mineral Dealers on Notice, Sanctions Several People & Firms

Jukwaa

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

This is after President Donald Trump's administration announced sweeping sanctions against individuals and companies accused of smuggling minerals out of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a notice seen by Kenyans.co.ke , the U.S. Department of State on Thursday, June 25, said it had sanctioned two individuals and four companies allegedly involved in trafficking minerals from eastern DRC.

Most of the sanctioned individuals and companies are from Rwanda, with the move expected to impact the mineral supply chain in East Africa and the continent at large.

📌 What You Need to Know

"M23 and its backers exploit the DRC's vast mineral resources, wealth that rightfully belongs to the Congolese people, to fund weapons, pay fighters, and sustain a destabilising insurgency," the U.S. State Department said.

The sanctions are intended to support the implementation of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, a US-backed agreement aimed at easing tensions between Rwanda and the DRC.

President William Ruto was among the leaders who witnessed the signing of the peace agreement in December last year in a high-level ceremony hosted by Trump at the White House.

Following the sanctions, the U.S. warned all players involved in Africa's mineral supply chain, urging them to halt the trade in conflict minerals or risk contributing to violence and human rights abuses.

"The United States calls on all actors to halt the illicit trade of conflict minerals, which finances armed groups, enables forced and child labour, and perpetuates sexual violence in mining communities," the statement read.

The Trump administration emphasised that responsibility extends beyond mining companies to include refiners, exporters, manufacturers, financial institutions and multinational corporations.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke

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