Rwanda calls US sanctions on its top Generals as unfair and misleading

The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s military and four senior officials, accusing them of providing “direct operational support” to the M23 rebel group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The move has deepened diplomatic tensions in the region, with Kinshasa welcoming the sanctions and Kigali condemning them as unjust.

According to the US Department of the Treasury, the M23 rebel group’s recent territorial gains would not have been possible without backing from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF).

M23, which is already under US sanctions since 2013, has seized large areas of mineral-rich eastern DRC, including the provincial capitals of North and South Kivu.

Despite international pressure, the group continues to hold key cities such as Goma and Bukavu.

Rwanda has consistently denied allegations from the DRC, the United Nations, and Western governments that it supports M23 or its political affiliate, the Congo River Alliance (AFC).

Kigali argues that accusations misrepresent the realities of the conflict and ignore security threats posed by armed groups operating near its borders.

Those targeted by the new US sanctions include Major-General Vincent Nyakarundi, army chief of staff of the RDF; Major-General Ruki Karusisi; Chief of Defence Staff Mubarakh Muganga; and Stanislas Gashugi, commander of special operations forces.

The US government described these officials as critical to M23’s battlefield successes.

The sanctions come despite a peace agreement signed in December in Washington under the mediation of US President Donald Trump, who brought together leaders from Rwanda and the DRC.

Trump had predicted the deal would produce a “great miracle.”

However, the State Department later noted that M23 continued to seize territory, including the strategic city of Uvira, in violation of the US-brokered accord.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the sanctions unfairly target Rwanda and distort facts about the conflict.

She accused the DRC of breaching the agreement through indiscriminate drone strikes and ground offensives.

Rwanda also stated it remains committed to withdrawing forces in coordination with the DRC, but claims Kinshasa has failed to meet its obligations, including ending support for militias hostile to Rwanda.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that Washington would use all available tools to ensure compliance with the Washington Accords and called for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops and equipment.

Fighting continues across eastern DRC, raising fears of wider regional instability.

The conflict has displaced more than seven million people, according to the UN refugee agency, making it one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises.