The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a financial institution serving Rwanda's security forces. The sanctions were imposed over alleged military, logistical and financial support for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), a rebel group operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the US Treasury, thousands of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) soldiers are fighting alongside FRN fighters in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces.
The US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) accused Rwanda of continuing to support the rebel group despite commitments to end the conflict under a peace agreement signed last year. The Treasury alleges that Rwandan troops have supplied the rebels with weapons and training, and have also transported surface-to-air missiles and electronic jamming equipment that pose a threat to civilian aviation. The sanctions come despite diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, including the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity signed in December 2025.
The Washington Accords were signed by US President Joe Biden, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi, with the aim of promoting peace and prosperity in Africa's Great Lakes region. However, the US Treasury said Rwanda's continued support for FRN/M23 violated its commitments under the accords and undermined efforts to achieve peace and prosperity in the region. The sanctions have been imposed on entities owned, directly or indirectly, individually or collectively, at least 50 per cent by one or more sanctioned persons or entities.
Under the sanctions, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated entities that are located in the United States, or held or controlled by US persons, are frozen and must be reported to OFAC. The restrictions also extend to entities owned, directly or indirectly, individually or collectively, at least 50 per cent by one or more sanctioned persons or entities. US persons and transactions conducted within or transiting through the United States are prohibited from dealing in the property or interests in property of sanctioned entities, unless authorised by an OFAC licence or otherwise exempt.
The US has called on Rwanda to stop supporting FRN/M23 and any successor armed groups and to withdraw its forces from eastern DRC. The Rwandan government, FRN/M23 and the Congolese government had not issued statements responding to the latest sanctions by the time of publication. The action follows earlier US sanctions against Rwandan officials and companies accused of supporting the rebel movement or facilitating illicit activities linked to the conflict in eastern DRC.
In June 2026, the US Treasury sanctioned Rwanda-based Gasabo Gold Refinery Ltd and a network of Rwandan mining companies over allegations that they facilitated the illicit trafficking of minerals from rebel-controlled areas of eastern DRC. In February 2025, the US also sanctioned James Kabarebe, Rwanda's Minister of State for Regional Integration, over the conflict in eastern DRC. Kabarebe was sanctioned alongside Lawrence Kingston Kanyuka, the FRN/M23 spokesperson, over alleged links to violence and human rights abuses in the region.
The conflict in eastern DRC has fuelled insecurity and displaced civilians in North Kivu and South Kivu, despite regional and international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire. FRN, which was formerly known as the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC), has announced plans to extend its military campaign to other parts of the country, including the capital, Kinshasa. The group says its objective is to overthrow the government of President Félix Tshisekedi, citing corruption, discrimination and other grievances within the Congolese government.
Key points
- The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Ministry of Defence and a financial institution over alleged support for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN) rebel group in the DRC.
- The sanctions were imposed despite diplomatic efforts to end the conflict, including the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity signed in December 2025.
- The conflict in eastern DRC has fuelled insecurity and displaced civilians, with FRN announcing plans to extend its military campaign to other parts of the country.
