DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — The U.S. government on Tuesday sanctioned an armed group accused of illicit trading in minerals in eastern Congo as Washington tries to spearhead peace efforts there while pushing for U.S. access to the region’s minerals.

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.