The United States Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society. The sanctions are based on allegations that Rwanda is supporting the M23 rebel movement in eastern Congo. The rebel movement has recently evolved into the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation, led by former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila.
The US action signals that Kigali has failed to respect the peace accords signed between Rwanda and DRC in Washington in December 2025. The accords aimed to bring peace and stability to the region. However, Rwanda has denied the accusations, and Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo stated that Kinshasa had also not fulfilled its commitments under the accords.
The sanctions also target Zigama, a key financial institution tied to Rwanda's security services. The US accuses Zigama of facilitating military procurement of weapons and ammunition and the transport of gold from rebel-held DRC territory to support rebel activities. Zigama serves as a banking institution for Rwandan soldiers, police officers, and prisons services.
The US Treasury Department stated that the sanctions are a result of Rwanda's failure to halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said that the US is making good on President Donald Trump's promise to hold Rwanda accountable for its commitments under the Washington Accords.
The implications of the sanctions are significant, with the US blocking the Ministry of Defence from any property or financial assets it holds within US jurisdiction. American individuals and entities are also prohibited from engaging in financial transactions with the ministry. The sanctions also restrict most international and cross-border transactions involving US dollars.
Rwanda has been engaged in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and African Union, where troops are paid by these organisations through Zigama. It remains to be seen if these transactions will be affected by the sanctions. The US administration has been raising pressure on international partners to re-evaluate military and financial cooperation involving Rwandan security forces.
The Rwandan government has criticised the sanctions as biased, with Makolo stating that Rwanda remains willing to fully implement the Washington Accords, alongside the DRC's willingness to honour its commitments. The situation highlights the complexities of the conflict in eastern Congo and the challenges of achieving peace and stability in the region.
Key points
- The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Defence Ministry and Zigama Credit and Savings Society over alleged support for M23 rebels in eastern Congo.
- The sanctions signal that Kigali has failed to respect the peace accords signed between Rwanda and DRC in Washington in December 2025.
- Rwanda has denied the accusations and criticised the sanctions as biased.
