U.S. Treasury Sanctions Four Rwandan Officers Over M23 Support

The United States Department of Treasury has imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s military leadership for what Washington says is direct support to the M23 rebel movement in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, escalating pressure over a conflict tied to mineral resources and regional security.

The U.S. Treasury Department announced sanctions Monday against several senior officers in the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) whom Washington says provided operational support to the M23 insurgency.

Those targeted include commanders Vincent Nyakarundi, Ruki Karusisi, Mubarakh Muganga, and Stanislas Gashugi. U.S. officials said the four were directly involved in supporting the March 23 Movement, a rebel group already under U.S. sanctions since 2013.

According to the Treasury Department, M23’s battlefield gains would not have been possible without assistance from Rwanda’s military leadership.

M23, a US- and UN-sanctioned entity, is responsible for horrific human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians, including women and children.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott

He added that “the continued backing from the RDF and its senior leadership has enabled M23 to capture DRC sovereign territory and continue these grave abuses.”

The sanctions come despite a U.S.-brokered peace agreement signed in December, when U.S. President Donald Trump brought together leaders from Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The agreement aimed to reduce fighting and stabilize eastern Congo, a region rich in critical minerals.

However, the U.S. State Department said M23 continued to advance even after the diplomatic effort.

Just days after the peace deal was signed, the rebel group captured the strategic city of Uvira, highlighting the fragility of the agreement.

Although M23 later withdrew from the city under U.S. pressure, the group still controls key regional centers including Goma and Bukavu, two major cities in eastern Congo.

Eastern Congo is one of the world’s most important sources of strategic minerals used in modern technology.

Control over these areas gives armed groups influence over supply chains tied to minerals such as coltan, cobalt, and other critical resources.

The conflict also has a major humanitarian dimension. According to the United Nations refugee agency, the fighting has displaced more than seven million people, making it one of the world’s largest displacement crises.

The U.S. Treasury Department warned that continued M23 presence near Burundi’s border carries the risk of expanding the conflict into a wider regional confrontation.

Washington had already imposed sanctions in February 2025 on Rwanda’s Minister of State James Kabarebe and M23 leader Lawrence Kanyuka for their alleged roles in fueling the conflict.

Those sanctions targeted financial assets and business networks tied to the mineral trade.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States would continue to use financial pressure to enforce commitments made in the peace agreement.

“We expect the immediate withdrawal of Rwanda Defence Force troops, weapons and equipment,” Bessent said.

He added that the Treasury Department “will use all tools at its disposal to ensure that the parties to the Washington Accords uphold their obligations.”

Rwanda has consistently denied accusations that it backs M23 forces in eastern Congo. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said the new sanctions “unjustly” target Rwanda and misrepresent the conflict.

She argued the measures “distort the facts” of the situation and accused the Congolese government of violating peace agreements through drone attacks and ground offensives.

Kigali told Reuters that Rwanda remains committed to disengaging its forces if the Democratic Republic of the Congo fulfills its obligations under U.S.-led mediation efforts.

However, the Congolese government welcomed the sanctions, calling them a strong signal in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The sanctions highlight the widening diplomatic confrontation surrounding the conflict, which involves around 100 armed groups operating in eastern Congo.