The United States has taken punitive measures against the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four prominent military officials, accusing them of offering direct support to the March 23 Movement (M23) in eastern Congo.
This action comes less than three months after the signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, a US-supported initiative aimed at alleviating tensions and promoting collaboration in the Great Lakes region.
In a statement from Washington, US officials pointed out that the sanctions were prompted by M23’s takeover of Uvira shortly after the signing of the accords on December 4, 2025, which has been viewed as a clear violation of the agreement.
Thomas Pigott, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the US, noted that Rwanda's ongoing military support has allowed M23 combatants to secure Congolese land and commit serious abuses.
The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) reported that the RDF allegedly sent thousands of troops to eastern Congo and provided M23 with sophisticated military equipment, such as drones and air defense systems. The department also charged that the leadership of Rwanda’s military supported the recruitment and training of the rebel group.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent emphasized that the United States would leverage all available means to uphold the Washington Accords, insisting on an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan military personnel, weapons, and assets from Congolese territory.
The officials subject to sanctions include:
\- Vincent Nyakarundi – Army Chief of Staff
\- Ruki Karusisi – Commander, 5th Infantry Division
\- Mubarakh Muganga – Chief of Defence Staff
\- Stanislas Gashugi – Special Operations Force Commander
As a result of these sanctions, any property or financial interests tied to the RDF and the sanctioned officers within the United States, or under US persons, will be frozen. Additionally, US citizens are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the listed individuals and organizations, with violations potentially leading to civil and criminal repercussions.
The M23 has consistently accused the Congolese government of violating ceasefire agreements, alleging that one of its commanders faced death due to a drone strike in February. In contrast, the Congolese capital, Kinshasa, has long accused Rwanda of backing the insurgency to destabilize the resource-rich eastern part of the nation.
Despite M23’s purported withdrawal from Uvira following its capture of the city, US officials assert that continued Rwandan support poses a risk of escalating tensions and undermining fragile peace efforts in the region.
Washington has reaffirmed its commitment to stability in eastern Congo, cautioning that further action may be taken if both Rwanda and the DRC fail to meet their obligations under the Washington Accords.
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