The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Ministry of Defence and the Zigama Credit and Savings Society (Zigama CSS), a local bank, over allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The sanctions, announced by the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on October 28, 2026, accuse the Rwandan Defence Ministry of providing military assistance and financial support to the M23 rebels.
The US Treasury Department said that the Rwandan Defence Ministry, which oversees the country's security agencies, including the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF), has been involved in sending thousands of soldiers to the North and South Kivu provinces in the DRC, where they allegedly work alongside M23 rebels. The US also accuses the RDF of providing M23 with military equipment, supplies, and training.
The M23 rebels have been accused of seizing key territories in the DRC, including the cities of Goma and Bukavu, and controlling valuable mineral resources such as gold mines in Kalemie and coltan mines in Rubaya. The US Treasury Department also alleges that the rebels have used forced labor in these areas, putting local populations at risk.
The US sanctions also target Zigama CSS, which is accused of facilitating the payment of military equipment and supplies to the RDF, as well as providing financial support for military training. The bank is also alleged to have helped transport gold from M23-controlled areas in the DRC to Kigali, and to have facilitated financial transactions worth over $10 million linked to M23 and the Alliance for Congolese Forces (AFC).
The sanctions imposed by the US Treasury Department mean that any assets held by the Rwandan Defence Ministry or Zigama CSS in the US or controlled by US persons will be frozen. The sanctions also target individuals and entities that conduct transactions with the sanctioned parties or hold a 50% or greater stake in them.
The move is seen as a significant escalation of pressure on Rwanda to end its alleged support for the M23 rebels. The US had previously called on Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the DRC and to cease its support for the rebels. The sanctions come as the RDF has recently been sanctioned by the US.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the sanctions demonstrate the US commitment to enforcing the commitments made by Rwanda under the Washington Agreement, which aims to promote peace and stability in the region. The US has urged Rwanda to take concrete steps to address its alleged support for the M23 rebels.
Key points
- The US has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Defence Ministry and a local bank over alleged support for M23 rebels in the DRC.
- The sanctions accuse the Rwandan Defence Ministry of providing military assistance and financial support to the M23 rebels.
- The move is seen as a significant escalation of pressure on Rwanda to end its alleged support for the M23 rebels.
