Rwanda Condemns US Sanctions Over Alleged Support for M23 Rebels

The government of Rwanda has criticised the United States after Washington imposed sanctions on its military over alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In a statement, Kigali said the measures unfairly singled out Rwanda and failed to reflect the broader realities of the conflict.

Officials argued that the sanctions “unjustly target only one party” and distort the facts surrounding the crisis in eastern Congo.

Authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, however, welcomed the move, expressing what they described as “deep appreciation” to the United States and calling the sanctions a clear sign of support for the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Eastern Congo, a region rich in minerals, has endured decades of armed conflict. Violence escalated again last year when fighters from the March 23 Movement seized key towns and mining areas, displacing thousands of residents.

The United Nations and the United States accuse Rwanda of backing the rebel group, allegations that Kigali has repeatedly denied.

In December, Donald Trump hosted the leaders of Rwanda and Congo for talks aimed at easing tensions between the two countries. The meeting concluded with a peace agreement that Trump described as potentially delivering a “great miracle.”

However, the United States Department of State later reported that M23 fighters captured the strategic Congolese city of Uvira only days after the deal was signed.

Washington announced on Monday that sanctions had been imposed on the Rwanda Defence Force and four senior officers, including army chief of staff Vincent Nyakarundi, accusing them of playing a central role in supporting M23’s operations.

The measures freeze any assets they may hold in the United States and prohibit financial transactions involving them.

Rwanda maintains that its presence near the border is aimed at countering armed groups linked to perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide, rejecting claims of direct military support for M23.