The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on Rwanda Defence Forces and senior military officials over their involvement in ongoing fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Washington has also called for an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the mineral-rich region.
The U.S. said Rwanda’s military actions undermine a peace agreement brokered in December 2025, which aimed to resolve conflicts between the two nations. At the time, President Donald Trump described the deal as a “great miracle” after years of violence in eastern Congo, warning that any violations would incur severe consequences.
Despite the agreement, M23 rebels, allegedly backed by Rwanda, captured the strategic city of Uvira before withdrawing under U.S. pressure. The Treasury Department emphasized that territorial gains by M23 would have been impossible without support from Rwanda.
“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,” said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.
The Rwandan government rejected the sanctions, saying they unfairly target one party and misrepresent the situation. Kigali reaffirmed its commitment to disengaging forces in coordination with the DRC but accused Kinshasa of failing to end support for local militias.
The sanctions mark a significant setback for Rwanda, which has maintained close ties with the United States, Britain, and other European nations. Measures include freezing any assets held by the RDF or the four officers in the U.S. and criminalizing financial transactions with them.
The December peace deal had also been framed as a means to secure critical minerals from eastern DRC for U.S. industries, highlighting the strategic stakes of the region.
