US sanctions Rwanda Defence Force officials over M23 support

Rwandan soldiers on patrol

WASHINGTON — The United States on Monday imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and several senior Rwandan military officials, accusing Kigali of backing the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and calling for an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the mineral‑rich region.

The U.S. Treasury Department said gains made by the M23 last year “would have been impossible without Rwandan backing,” while the State Department said Rwanda’s support had enabled “horrific human rights abuses.” Sanctions target senior officers, including the army chief of staff, the chief of defence staff, the special operations force commander, and the commander of the 5th Infantry Division.

Rwanda has repeatedly denied allegations from the DRC, the United Nations, and Western governments that it supports M23. In a statement to Reuters, Kigali described the sanctions as unfair and said they “misrepresent the reality and distort the facts of the conflict.” The Rwandan government said it remained committed to disengaging its forces in line with mediation efforts and accused the DRC of failing to end support for other armed groups.

The move follows a fragile diplomatic push to stabilise the region. A U.S.‑brokered agreement signed in Washington last December aimed to reduce hostilities and pave the way for disengagement, but fighting has continued. Days after the ceremony, M23 captured the eastern Congolese city of Uvira near the Burundian border in a major escalation; the group later withdrew under U.S. pressure, officials said.

U.S. officials warned that M23’s continued presence near Burundi’s border risked widening the conflict into a broader regional war. Over the weekend, Congolese authorities accused M23 of launching a drone attack on Kisangani airport, hundreds of kilometres from the main frontlines. M23 had earlier claimed responsibility for a separate airport attack; the group did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the latest allegations.

Analysts say the sanctions are intended to increase pressure on Kigali to halt any material support for M23 and to reinforce diplomatic efforts to stabilise eastern DRC. Critics of the sanctions argue they could complicate mediation and regional cooperation, while supporters contend targeted measures are necessary to deter external interference that fuels the conflict.

Humanitarian organisations have repeatedly warned that renewed fighting in eastern DRC has driven displacement, disrupted access to aid, and exacerbated abuses against civilians. The region’s strategic importance, including its mineral wealth and porous borders, has made it a focal point for competing political and military interests.

U.S. officials said the sanctions would be accompanied by continued diplomatic engagement with regional partners and international institutions to press for a durable cessation of hostilities and accountability for abuses. The situation remains fluid, and observers say progress will depend on concrete steps by all parties to disengage forces, allow humanitarian access, and resume political dialogue.

US sanctions Rwanda RDF M23 2026