The Biden administration has imposed new sanctions on companies accused of profiting from the activities of the Wagner Group in Africa. The Treasury Department says the sanctions will punish four companies based in Russia, the United Arab Emirates and the Central African Republic that extract gold, diamonds and other minerals to help fund the mercenary force. The sanctions were announced after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that Wagner mercenaries will not be withdrawn from Africa following last weekend’s mutiny.

Sergey Lavrov: “Several hundred Russian servicemen are working in the Central African Republic as instructors. This work will, of course, be continued.”