US Sanctions Wagner Group's Gold Mining Financiers in Africa

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on four companies and one individual connected to the Wagner Group, a Russian mercenary business, for their involvement in illegal gold trade in Africa. The companies include Midas Ressources, Diamville, Industrial Resources General Trading, and Limited Liability Company DM. The US has previously sanctioned the Wagner Group and its founder, Yevgeny Prigozhin, who is also connected to these companies. The sanctions highlight the risks associated with the gold trade in sub-Saharan Africa, including conflict financing, money laundering, sanctions evasion, human rights abuses, and environmental degradation. The Wagner Group has been active in Africa, particularly in countries like the Central African Republic, Sudan, Libya, Mozambique, and Mali, where it has been accused of various human rights abuses.