OMM Newsroom
The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s defence ministry over its alleged support for the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), increasing pressure on Kigali to withdraw its troops and stop assisting the rebels, the BBC reported.
“Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC,” US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
The sanctions come months after Rwanda and the DRC signed a US-brokered peace agreement intended to end the conflict. Fighting has continued since January 2025, when M23 seized the cities of Goma and Bukavu. Rwanda denies supporting the group.
The US Treasury says Rwanda’s defence ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 in eastern DRC, providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training.
US alleges rebel-held minerals enter Rwanda’s supply chains
M23 has seized mineral-rich areas in North and South Kivu, including gold-mining sites in South Kivu and Rubaya, a major coltan-producing area. Washington alleges that minerals from territory held by the rebels enter Rwanda’s supply chains and says 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. The agreement sought to end the conflict and expand regional trade and investment, but fighting has continued.
On 24 October, before the sanctions were announced, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi urged the international community to increase pressure on Rwanda.
“We must firmly demand that the international community impose concrete sanctions against Rwanda and exert increased pressure, so that we may finally secure a lasting peace in our country,” he said.
In a statement to “Reuters”, the DRC foreign ministry welcomed the sanctions and urged Rwanda to honour its commitments under the Washington Accords, respect the UN Charter and withdraw its troops from Congolese territory.
Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told the BBC that the Washington Accords contain clear commitments on Rwanda’s security, including the neutralisation of the DRC-sponsored FDLR militia, which she called genocidal. She said those commitments remained unmet and there had been no accountability.
“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,” Makolo said.
The FDLR is a militia linked to perpetrators of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide. Kigali considers it a security threat and cites its presence in eastern DRC to justify its military posture.
Sanctions also target financial institution
The US also sanctioned “Zigama Credit and Savings Society”, a financial institution serving Rwanda’s security services. Washington alleges it facilitated tens of millions of dollars in transactions for M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance; helped pay for military equipment for Rwandan forces from China; and enabled gold to be transported from rebel-controlled areas to Kigali.
The sanctions freeze the designated entities’ assets under US jurisdiction and generally prohibit US individuals and businesses from conducting transactions with them, unless authorised or exempt. Violations can result in penalties for US and foreign parties.
The measures follow US sanctions in March 2026 against Rwanda’s army and four senior military commanders. In June 2026, the US imposed further sanctions on “Gasabo” gold refinery and three mining companies accused of smuggling conflict minerals.
Pressure is also mounting over Rwanda’s international sports partnerships. Two US senators have urged the National Basketball Association (NBA) to reconsider its commercial ties with Kigali, questioning whether they align with the league’s stated commitment to human rights.
In a letter sent to NBA commissioner Adam Silver on 23 October, senators Jeff Merkley and Marsha Blackburn questioned the league’s continued partnership with Rwanda amid allegations of human rights abuses. The NBA has yet to issue a substantive response.
Rwanda has used high-profile sports sponsorships to raise its international profile. Earlier this month, it secured a 10-year deal to host Formula 1’s African Grand Prix in the early 2030s.
Rwanda’s sponsorship of “Arsenal” ended in 2026, while “Bayern Munich” has also ended its commercial partnership with “Visit Rwanda”.
