The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s defence forces and senior military officials over their alleged involvement in ongoing fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Washington also called for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the mineral-rich region.
US officials say Rwanda’s military actions are undermining a peace agreement between Kigali and Kinshasa that was brokered by Washington and signed in December last year. At the time, President Donald Trump described the accord as a “great miracle” after years of violence in eastern Congo, warning that any violations would trigger serious consequences.
Soon after the agreement was signed, however, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels seized the strategic city of Uvira before later pulling back following US pressure.
Kigali has consistently denied supporting the rebel group. But the US Treasury Department said M23’s territorial advances would not have been possible without Rwandan backing.
“M23, a US- and UN-sanctioned entity, is responsible for horrific human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians, including women and children,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.
The government in Kigali condemned the sanctions, saying they unfairly single out one party to the conflict and distort the situation on the ground.
Rwanda said it remains “fully committed to disengagement of its forces in tandem with the DRC implementing their obligations” under US-led mediation. It also accused Kinshasa of failing to uphold commitments, including ending alleged support for militias operating in eastern Congo.
The measures represent a significant blow to Rwanda, which has maintained close diplomatic ties for decades with the United States, Britain and other European nations.
Trump had previously praised the December deal as a pathway to improved stability and access to critical minerals from the resource-rich DRC.
Under the sanctions, any assets held in the United States by the Rwanda Defence Force and four named officers will be frozen, and US individuals or entities will be barred from conducting financial transactions with them.
