The U.S. Department of State has accused Rwanda and Uganda of illegally extracting minerals, including gold and tantalum, from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a statement released on July 8.
The statement claims that these minerals, which allegedly benefit armed groups, are transported through Rwanda and Uganda before being sent to major refining and processing countries. In response, Uganda has denied any involvement, asserting its cooperation with Congolese forces in combating armed groups.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame has not directly addressed the allegations but instead deflected by accusing the U.S. of similar activities. On July 14, a day before winning the presidential election with 99% of the vote, Kagame remarked to journalists in Kigali, “The United States does more mining in Eastern Congo or in Congo than Rwanda can ever do.” This claim has been refuted as the U.S. does not permit conflict minerals within its borders and there is no evidence of U.S. government involvement in Congolese mineral extraction.
Numerous U.N. reports, civil society groups, and the Congolese government have documented the illegal trade of Congolese minerals, highlighting significant evidence of smuggling through Rwanda and Uganda. The U.S. State Department issued its statement to clarify potential risks associated with minerals from the DRC, Rwanda, and Uganda, in response to requests from the private sector.
In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Act was enacted, requiring publicly listed U.S. companies to conduct due diligence on their supply chains to ensure they do not source minerals from conflict zones. A June 13 U.N. report revealed ongoing illegal gold trade through Rwanda, with sources confirming that DRC gold at least transits through Rwanda.
Kagame’s remarks from a November 30, 2022, government ceremony reflected on Rwanda’s role in the mineral trade: “Some people come from Congo, whether they smuggle or go through the right channel, they bring minerals, but most of it goes through here but does not stay here. It goes to Dubai, to Brussels, Tel Aviv…”
Accusations against Rwanda include backing M23 rebels, who have been internationally sanctioned for human rights violations. Congolese Finance Minister Nicolas Kazadi stated in March 2023 that the DRC was losing approximately $1 billion annually due to mineral smuggling into Rwanda. Kazadi further claimed that Rwanda’s mineral exports, valued at nearly $1 billion in 2022, did not align with its mineral deposits.
Human rights organizations have long documented the illegal smuggling of gold and other resources from Congo through Rwanda and Uganda to global markets. Reports from Human Rights Watch and the International Crisis Group have linked these activities to widespread human rights abuses and regional instability.
