US imposes sanctions on Wagner

The US has imposed sanctions to stop Wagner's gold mining operations in Africa, vowing to hold the group accountable for its violence.

The US Treasury Department on June 27 announced sanctions against Midas Resources, a mining company in the Central African Republic, and Diamville, a gold and diamond buyer in the country. Washington said both companies are controlled by Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner group.

The sanctions freeze any assets of Midas Resources and Diamville in the United States and make it a criminal offense to do business with the two companies. They also target Industrial Resources General Trading, a company based in the United Arab Emirates, and Russia-based DM, which allegedly handled Diamville transactions.

"Wagner Group funds its operations in part by exploiting natural resources in countries like the Central African Republic and Mali. The United States will continue to target Wagner's revenue to reduce its expansion and violence in Africa, Ukraine and elsewhere," said Brian Nelson, a US Treasury official.

A Wagner member stands next to Central African Republic soldiers during a protest in the capital Bangui last March. Photo: AFP

The Wagner group has contracts with African militaries and played a significant role in Russia's campaign in Ukraine.

US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Wagner "brings death and destruction wherever it goes, harming local populations, exploiting minerals and extorting money from communities". He said the US would continue to urge governments in Africa and elsewhere to stop cooperating with Wagner.

Wagner has not commented on the US move.

Thanh Tam (According to AFP )

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