The US has sanctioned Congo’s PARECO armed group, mining firms, and Hong Kong exporters over illicit coltan trade, as renewed clashes threaten peace talks.

The Trump administration sanctioned four entities over their role in the critical minerals trade in eastern DR Congo as it seeks to implement a peace deal in the conflict-hit region.

The United States on Tuesday announced sanctions against an armed group aligned with Congo's military as well as a Congolese mining company and two Hong Kong-based exporters over armed violence and the sale of critical minerals.