The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Ministry of Defence and a Rwandan financial institution, Zigama Credit and Savings Society, over alleged support for the M23 rebel group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The sanctions, announced by the US Department of the Treasury, target the Ministry of Defence and Zigama, which Washington accuses of facilitating military and financial assistance to M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance.
According to the Treasury Department, Rwanda's security forces have deployed thousands of troops in North and South Kivu provinces, where they allegedly operate alongside M23 and provide the group with military equipment, supplies, logistical assistance, and training. Washington also accused Rwandan forces of introducing advanced weaponry, including surface-to-air missile systems and electronic jamming equipment, which it says pose risks to civilian aviation in eastern Congo.
The Treasury Department further alleged that Zigama facilitated payments to suppliers in China and other countries for weapons, ammunition, and military equipment for the Rwanda Defence Force. The institution allegedly also facilitated payments for military training and transactions worth tens of millions of dollars involving M23 and the Congo River Alliance. A Zigama branch was also accused of facilitating the transportation of gold extracted from M23-controlled territory in eastern Congo to Rwanda.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures were intended to hold Rwanda accountable for its commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in December 2025. “Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC,” Bessent said. The sanctions come amid continued fighting in eastern Congo despite diplomatic efforts to end the conflict.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi signed the US-brokered Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity on December 4, 2025. The agreement was intended to advance a peaceful resolution to the conflict while promoting regional trade, investment, and transparency in critical mineral supply chains. However, fighting has continued, with M23 maintaining control over strategic areas.
The Congolese government welcomed the latest sanctions, calling on Rwanda to honour its commitments under the Washington Accords and withdraw its troops from Congolese territory. Rwanda has consistently denied supporting armed groups in Congo, arguing that its security concerns include the activities of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, an armed group whose origins are linked to the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi.
The new measures follow sanctions imposed by Washington in March 2026 on the Rwanda Defence Force and four senior officials over their alleged support for M23. Under the latest sanctions, assets belonging to the designated institutions that fall within US jurisdiction or are held or controlled by US persons must be blocked. Transactions involving the sanctioned entities are generally prohibited for US persons unless authorised or exempted under applicable regulations.
Key points
- The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society over alleged support for M23.
- The sanctions aim to hold Rwanda accountable for its commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity.
- The measures prohibit transactions involving the sanctioned entities for US persons unless authorised or exempted under applicable regulations.
