The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's ministry of defense over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The move is aimed at increasing pressure on Kigali to bring an end to the fighting. Clashes have continued in eastern Congo, where rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, are fighting Congolese forces and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu militia rooted in the 1994 genocide.
Rwanda denies backing the Refoundation of the Nation rebels, formerly known as AFC-M23. The US Treasury Department said that the Rwandan ministry of defense directed the Rwanda Defense Force to deploy thousands of troops across eastern Congo's North and South Kivu provinces. There, they conducted operations alongside the rebels and provided the armed group with military equipment and other support.
The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, stated that Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC. The US President Donald Trump's administration has sought to broker peace between the two countries, which signed a deal in 2025 to end fighting. However, those efforts have brought little change on the ground.
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the Washington Accords contain commitments on the neutralization of the FDLR that are unmet. She added that Rwanda remains ready to fully implement the Washington Accords, concurrently with the willingness of the DRC to fulfill those commitments, and with the mediator holding all parties accountable.
Congo's ministry of foreign affairs welcomed the sanctions in a statement, saying they send a clear message that Rwanda cannot act with impunity. The statement read that Rwanda must honor its commitments under the Washington Accords, respect the UN Charter, and withdraw its tens of thousands of troops from the DRC.
The US Treasury Department also imposed Congo-related sanctions on Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a Rwandan financial institution operating on behalf of the country's security services. The Treasury accused it of playing a key role in facilitating Rwanda's support for the rebels, including facilitating payments to entities in China and other countries for weapons and military equipment.
The sanctions also revealed that a Zigama branch enabled the transportation of gold from rebel-controlled territory in Congo to Rwanda. The CEO of Zigama did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The US move is seen as a significant escalation in the international pressure on Rwanda to end its support for the rebels in eastern Congo.
Key points
- The US imposed sanctions on Rwanda's ministry of defense over the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
- Rwanda denies backing the Refoundation of the Nation rebels, formerly known as AFC-M23.
- The US Treasury Department accused Zigama Credit and Savings Society of facilitating Rwanda's support for the rebels.
