The US Treasury Department announced on October 28, 2026, that it has imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Ministry of Defence and the Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a Rwandan financial institution. The sanctions were imposed due to their role in supporting the M23 rebels and its political wing, the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The M23 rebels have been accused of occupying large areas of the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces in eastern DRC.
According to the US Treasury Department, the Rwandan Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society have facilitated the transport of gold from territories controlled by the M23/AFC to Kigali and have carried out financial transactions worth millions of dollars in support of the rebels. The sanctions were imposed under the authority of the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which is responsible for administering US economic and trade sanctions against foreign governments, entities, and individuals.
The US Secretary of the Treasury, Scott Bessent, stated that the sanctions demonstrate the US commitment to holding Rwanda accountable for its actions. He emphasized that Rwanda must withdraw its troops from eastern DRC and cease its support for the M23 rebels. The sanctions also aim to pressure Rwanda to meet its commitments under the Washington Accords, a peace agreement signed on December 4, 2025, between the DRC and Rwanda.
The Washington Accords aim to promote peace and prosperity in the region and include provisions for economic development, transparency in mineral supply chains, and increased investment in the African Great Lakes region. The accords also provide for the disarmament and reintegration of rebel groups, including the M23. The US sanctions are intended to support the implementation of these accords and to promote stability in the region.
As a result of the sanctions, all assets and interests of the designated entities that are in the US or under the control of US persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. The sanctions also prohibit US persons from engaging in transactions with the designated entities, and non-US persons may face penalties for inducing US persons to violate the sanctions.
The US Treasury Department emphasized that the sanctions are part of a broader effort to promote peace and stability in eastern DRC. The department noted that the M23 rebels have been responsible for human rights abuses and have contributed to the instability in the region. The sanctions are intended to pressure Rwanda to change its behavior and to support the implementation of the Washington Accords.
The imposition of sanctions on Rwanda is a significant development in the region and reflects the US commitment to promoting peace and stability in eastern DRC. The sanctions are likely to have significant implications for Rwanda and the M23 rebels, and may lead to increased pressure on Rwanda to change its behavior and support the implementation of the Washington Accords.
Key points
- The US Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Rwandan Ministry of Defence and the Zigama Credit and Savings Society for their role in supporting the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The sanctions aim to pressure Rwanda to withdraw its troops from eastern DRC and cease its support for the M23 rebels.
- The Washington Accords, signed on December 4, 2025, aim to promote peace and prosperity in the region and include provisions for economic development, transparency in mineral supply chains, and increased investment in the African Great Lakes region.
