US sanctions Rwanda's defence ministry over alleged M23 support

The United States has sanctioned Rwanda's defence ministry over its alleged backing of the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, raising pressure on Kigali to withdraw its troops and stop supporting the rebels.

"Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

The Treasury alleges the ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 in eastern DR Congo, supplying weapons, equipment, logistics and training. It also sanctioned Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a bank serving Rwanda's security services, saying it handled tens of millions of dollars in transactions for M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance, helped pay for Rwandan forces' military equipment from China and enabled gold from rebel-held areas to reach Kigali.

The measures freeze the designated entities' assets under US jurisdiction and generally bar US individuals and businesses from dealing with them unless authorised or exempt. Violations can lead to penalties for US and foreign parties, the Treasury says.

Rwanda denies backing M23. M23 captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu in early 2025, and fighting in eastern DR Congo has continued since. The group has taken mineral-rich areas including gold-mining sites in South Kivu and Rubaya, a major coltan-producing area in North Kivu. Washington says minerals from rebel-held territory enter Rwanda's supply chains and alleges Rwanda exports more minerals than it produces.

The sanctions are intended to reinforce the Washington Accords, signed by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in December 2025 under US mediation, which aimed to end the conflict and expand regional trade and investment. Fighting has continued nonetheless.

Reactions

Ahead of the announcement, on 24 October, DR Congo President Félix Tshisekedi called on the international community to increase pressure on Rwanda, saying concrete sanctions were needed for lasting peace. DR Congo's foreign ministry welcomed the sanctions and urged Rwanda to honour its Washington Accords commitments, respect the UN Charter and withdraw its troops from Congolese territory.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told the BBC the accords contain clear commitments on Rwanda's security, including neutralising the DR Congo-sponsored FDLR militia, which she said are wholly unmet with no accountability. The FDLR is linked to perpetrators of Rwanda's 1994 genocide, and Kigali cites its presence in eastern DR Congo to justify its military posture. "Rwanda remains ready to fully implement the Washington Accords, concurrently with the willingness of the DRC to fulfill those commitments, and with the mediator holding all parties accountable," she said.

Earlier measures and sports ties

The US previously sanctioned Rwanda's army and four senior military commanders in March 2026, and in June 2026 hit Gasabo gold refinery and three mining companies accused of smuggling conflict minerals.

Pressure has also grown over Rwanda's sports partnerships. Senators Jeff Merkley and Marsha Blackburn wrote to NBA commissioner Adam Silver on 23 October urging the league to reconsider commercial ties with Kigali, questioning whether they fit its stated human rights commitment. The NBA has not issued a substantive response. Rwanda recently secured a 10-year deal to host Formula 1's African Grand Prix in the early 2030s; its Arsenal sponsorship ended in 2026 and Bayern Munich has ended its Visit Rwanda partnership.

M23 has joined a new rebel coalition, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), led by former Congolese President Joseph Kabila, which wants to oust Tshisekedi's government.

Source: BBC World.