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, increasing pressure on Kigali to withdraw its troops and halt support for the rebels.
The sanctions come months after Rwanda and DR Congo signed a US-brokered peace agreement, the Washington Accords, in December 2025, aimed at ending the conflict and expanding regional trade and investment. Fighting has continued since M23 seized the cities of Goma and Bukavu in early 2025.
"Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
The US Treasury says Rwanda's defence ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 in eastern DR Congo, providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training. The M23 has seized mineral-rich areas, including gold-mining sites in South Kivu and Rubaya, a major coltan-producing area in North Kivu. Washington alleges that minerals from rebel-held territory enter Rwanda's supply chains and that Rwanda exports more minerals than it produces.
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 US also sanctioned Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a bank 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.
Rwanda denies backing M23. In a statement to the BBC, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said: "The Washington Accords contain clear commitments regarding Rwanda's security, specifically the neutralization of the DR Congo-sponsored FDLR genocidal militia, which are wholly unmet, and with no accountability." 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 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.
DR Congo's 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.
The measures follow earlier US sanctions against Rwanda's army and four senior military commanders in March 2026, and further sanctions on Gasabo gold refinery and three mining companies accused of smuggling conflict minerals in June 2026.
Pressure is also mounting over Rwanda's international sports partnerships. Two US senators, Jeff Merkley and Marsha Blackburn, sent a letter to NBA commissioner Adam Silver on 23 October questioning the league's continued partnership with Rwanda amid allegations of human rights abuses. The NBA has yet to issue a substantive response. Rwanda secured a 10-year deal to host Formula 1's African Grand Prix in the early 2030s. The country's sponsorship of Arsenal ended in 2026, and Bayern Munich has also ended its commercial partnership with Visit Rwanda.
The M23 has recently 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.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The sanctions target a key bank serving Rwanda's security services, potentially disrupting military logistics
- The conflict threatens global supply chains for coltan and gold, critical for electronics and jewellery
- International pressure, including from sports leagues, could reshape Rwanda's diplomatic and economic standing
Background
Fighting in eastern DR Congo escalated in early 2025 when M23 rebels captured the cities of Goma and Bukavu. The December 2025 Washington Accords, brokered by the US, aimed to end the conflict and expand regional trade. Rwanda denies supporting M23, citing the presence of the FDLR militia, linked to the 1994 genocide, in eastern DR Congo as a security threat.
Key Perspectives
United States and DR Congo: say Rwanda must halt support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC, and that the Washington Accords include clear commitments from Rwanda.
Rwanda: says the Accords contain commitments regarding the neutralisation of the FDLR militia that have not been met, and that it remains ready to implement the deal concurrently with the DRC.
What to Watch
- Whether the US imposes further sanctions on Rwandan officials or entities connected to the conflict
- How the NBA responds to the senators' letter questioning its partnership with Rwanda
- Whether the Washington Accords' ceasefire provisions are revived as diplomatic pressure builds
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe United States sanctioned Rwanda’s defence ministry over alleged M23 support.BBC News: “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, increasing pressure on Kigali to withdraw its troops and halt support for the rebels.”
- SupportedWashington is increasing pressure on Kigali to withdraw its troops from eastern DR Congo.BBC News: “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, increasing pressure on Kigali to withdraw its troops and halt support for the rebels.”
- SupportedScott Bessent said, “Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC.”BBC News: “"Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.”
- SupportedThe Washington Accords were signed in December 2025 under US mediation.BBC News: “The sanctions are intended to reinforce the Washington Accords, signed by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in December 2025 under US mediation.”
- SupportedThe Washington Accords aimed to end the conflict and expand regional trade and investment.BBC News: “The deal aimed to end the conflict and expand regional trade and investment, but fighting has continued.”
- SupportedFighting continued after M23 seized Goma and Bukavu in early 2025.BBC News: “Fighting has continued in eastern DR Congo since early 2025, when M23 seized the cities of Goma and Bukavu.”
- SupportedThe US Treasury says Rwanda’s defence ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 and provided weapons, equipment, logistics and training.BBC News: “The US Treasury says Rwanda's defence ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 in eastern DR Congo, providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training.”
- SupportedWashington says minerals from rebel-held territory enter Rwanda’s supply chains and alleges Rwanda exports more minerals than it produces.BBC News: “Washington says minerals from rebel-held territory enter Rwanda's supply chains, alleging that Rwanda exports more minerals than it produces.”
- SupportedThe sanctions freeze designated entities’ assets under US jurisdiction and generally prohibit US individuals and businesses from transacting with them, unless authorised or exempt.BBC News: “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.”
- SupportedWashington alleges Zigama facilitated tens of millions of dollars in M23-related transactions, helped pay for military equipment for Rwandan forces from China, and enabled gold to be transported from rebel-controlled areas to Kigali.BBC News: “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.”
- SupportedYolande Makolo said, “The Washington Accords contain clear commitments regarding Rwanda's security, specifically the neutralization of the DR Congo-sponsored FDLR genocidal militia, which are wholly unmet, and with no accountability.”BBC News: “"The Washington Accords contain clear commitments regarding Rwanda's security, specifically the neutralization of the DR Congo-sponsored FDLR genocidal militia, which are wholly unmet, and with no accountability," Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told the BBC.”
- SupportedYolande Makolo said, “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.”BBC News: “"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.”