Sanctioning DR Congo’s Blood Gold Is Smart, but Not Enough

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is currently a focal point in the ongoing critical mineral competition between the U.S. and China. On June 25, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on a network operating out of Rwanda that is involved in the exploitation of gold resources in the DRC.

While these sanctions are recognized as a strategic move, analysts argue that they are insufficient to address the broader challenges posed by mineral resource exploitation in the region and its implications for global supply chains.