American mercenary Erik Prince, founder of Blackwater, has expressed support for new US sanctions on Rwanda, citing the country's alleged backing of the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The US sanctions, announced on October 28, 2026, target Rwanda's Ministry of Defense and the Zigama Credit and Savings Society. Prince, whose company Vectus Global has security operations in the DRC, said the sanctions could help end the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.
The US sanctions are linked to Rwanda's alleged support for the M23 rebel group, which is active in eastern DRC. The US Treasury Department said Rwanda has been accused of sending soldiers to North and South Kivu provinces, where they allegedly work with M23 rebels, providing them with military equipment, training, and other support. The sanctions aim to pressure Rwanda to stop supporting M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC.
Erik Prince's company, Vectus Global, has been involved in security operations in the DRC, including providing support to the Congolese government. In October 2026, reports emerged that Vectus Global's employees were attacked in South Kivu province, with some killed and others injured. The incident was blamed on suspected Rwandan forces, which Prince's company allegedly works with.
The US sanctions on Rwanda have been welcomed by Erik Prince, who has called on European countries to follow suit. Prince's stance on Rwanda's alleged support for M23 rebels comes as the conflict in eastern DRC continues to escalate. The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and displacements, with the humanitarian situation in the region deteriorating.
Rwanda has denied allegations of supporting M23 rebels, saying it is committed to implementing the Washington peace agreement with the DRC. The agreement, signed in December 2025, aims to bring peace and stability to the region. However, the deal has yet to yield tangible results, with both sides accusing each other of not fulfilling their commitments.
The US sanctions on Rwanda have sparked a diplomatic row between the two countries. Rwanda has dismissed the sanctions, saying they are based on misinformation and fail to address the root causes of the conflict in the region. The Rwandan government has also accused the DRC of not doing enough to tackle the FDLR rebel group, which is active in eastern DRC.
The conflict in eastern DRC has regional implications, with several countries involved. The African Union and other regional organizations have been working to broker a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, the situation remains volatile, with sporadic fighting and humanitarian crises reported in the region.
Key points
- US sanctions Rwanda over alleged support for M23 rebels in DRC
- Erik Prince backs US sanctions, calls for EU to follow suit
- Conflict in eastern DRC continues to escalate, with thousands displaced and killed
