The Trump administration broke its silence on the escalating violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, condemning recent attacks targeting civilians and urging all parties to uphold a fragile ceasefire.
“Violence targeting civilians in eastern DRC is unacceptable,” the US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs said in a statement.
“We urge all parties to uphold the ceasefire committed to in the Declaration of Principles signed in Doha between the DRC and M23.”
The remarks come amid a surge in conflict in North Kivu province, where M23 rebels have been accused of atrocities, including civilian massacres and forced displacement.
The group, which claims to defend ethnic Tutsis, has clashed repeatedly with government forces and local militias despite regional peace efforts.
Trump Administration to the UN
The US called for an emergency United Nations Security Council briefing to address what it described as “horrific abuses perpetrated against civilians, including by M23.”
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“Violations not only threaten progress toward peace but perpetuate the suffering of civilians who have endured decades of conflict,” the statement read.
“We will continue to promote accountability to ensure that those who undermine peace, stability, or security face consequences.”
The M23 rebellion, dormant for nearly a decade, resurfaced in late 2021, reigniting regional tensions and prompting mass displacement.
The Global Displacement Forecast Report 2025 published reveals a staggering spike in forced displacements in 2025 alone with 4.2 million people, the highest forecasted by DRC since 2021.
Sanctions on Companies Linked to Illegal Mining in DRC
The United States had earlier imposed sanctions on an armed group and several companies tied to the illicit trade of conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), targeting a major source of funding for violence and human rights abuses in the war-torn region.
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On August 12, the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against the militant group PARECO-FF and three companies, one based in the DRC and two in Hong Kong, that it says have profited from illegal mining operations in eastern Congo.
The move came amid rising violence in the mineral-rich region, where thousands of civilians have been killed and over a million displaced.
PARECO-FF, a successor to the Coalition des Patriotes Résistants Congolais (PARECO), has been accused of overseeing forced labour, civilian executions, and smuggling operations since its emergence in 2022.
“The conflict minerals trade is exacting a deadly toll on Congolese civilians, fueling corruption, and preventing law-abiding businesses from investing in the DRC,” said John K. Hurley, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
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