The United States has imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and several senior military officials over their alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, calling for the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan forces from the region. The measures, announced Monday by the United States Department of the Treasury, freeze any assets held in the United States by the RDF and four named officers and prohibit American individuals or entities from engaging in financial transactions with them.
Washington says Rwanda’s actions undermine a peace agreement signed in December between Kigali and Kinshasa under US mediation. At the time, President Donald Trump described the accord as a “great miracle” after years of instability in eastern Congo, warning that violations would trigger serious consequences. Soon after the deal was signed, fighters from the M23 rebel group seized the strategic city of Uvira near the Burundi border before later pulling back amid diplomatic pressure. The United States and the United Nations have previously sanctioned M23, accusing it of carrying out serious human rights abuses, including attacks on civilians.
Rwanda has consistently denied backing the M23 rebels. However, US officials said recent territorial advances by the group would not have been possible without Rwandan support. Kigali rejected the sanctions as one-sided and misleading, arguing that it remains committed to disengagement in line with the US-brokered framework. Rwandan authorities also accused the Congolese government of failing to honour its own commitments, including dismantling armed militias operating in eastern Congo that Kigali considers hostile.
Eastern DR Congo, rich in minerals such as cobalt, coltan and gold, has endured decades of armed conflict involving local militias and foreign-backed groups. The region’s instability has drawn international concern, particularly over supply chains for critical minerals used in global technology industries. The sanctions mark a significant strain in relations between Washington and Rwanda, which has long maintained close ties with the United States and European partners. Analysts say the move signals tougher US enforcement of the December agreement and heightened scrutiny of regional security dynamics in Central Africa
