The Independent Uganda: You get the Truth we Pay the Price
Kigali, Rwanda | URN | The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a financial institution serving Rwanda’s security forces, over alleged military, logistical and financial support for the Refoundation of the Nation (FRN), formerly known as the March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC).
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) accused Rwanda of continuing to support the rebel group despite commitments to end the conflict under a peace agreement signed last year.
According to the Treasury, thousands of Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) soldiers are fighting alongside FRN/M23 fighters in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. It also alleges that Rwandan troops have supplied the rebels with weapons and training.
The US further accuses Rwandan forces of transporting surface-to-air missiles and electronic jamming equipment that pose a threat to civilian aviation.
The sanctions come despite diplomatic efforts to end the conflict. On December 4, 2025, US President Donald Trump convened the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC to sign the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, under which the two countries committed to ending the conflict and promoting trade and investment in Africa’s Great Lakes region.
However, the US Treasury said Rwanda’s continued support for FRN/M23 violated its commitments under the accords and undermined efforts to achieve peace and prosperity in the region.
Under the sanctions, all property and interests in property belonging to the designated entities that are located in the United States, or held or controlled by US persons, are frozen and must be reported to OFAC.
The restrictions also extend to entities owned, directly or indirectly, individually or collectively, at least 50 per cent by one or more sanctioned persons or entities.
OFAC regulations generally prohibit US persons and transactions conducted within or transiting through the United States from dealing in the property or interests in property of sanctioned entities, unless authorised by an OFAC licence or otherwise exempt.
The US has called on Rwanda to stop supporting FRN/M23 and any successor armed groups and to withdraw its forces from eastern DRC.
By the time of publication, the Rwandan government, FRN/M23 and the Congolese government had not issued statements responding to the latest sanctions.
The action follows earlier US sanctions against Rwandan officials and companies accused of supporting the rebel movement or facilitating illicit activities linked to the conflict in eastern DRC.
In June 2026, the US Treasury sanctioned Rwanda-based Gasabo Gold Refinery Ltd and a network of Rwandan mining companies over allegations that they facilitated the illicit trafficking of minerals from rebel-controlled areas of eastern DRC.
In February 2025, the US also sanctioned James Kabarebe, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, over the conflict in eastern DRC. Kabarebe was sanctioned alongside Lawrence Kingston Kanyuka, the FRN/M23 spokesperson, over alleged links to violence and human rights abuses in the region.
Kanyuka was also targeted alongside two companies he controls, Kingston Fresh and Kingston Holding.
Following its restructuring from the M23/AFC movement into FRN, the rebel group announced plans to extend its military campaign to other parts of the country, including the capital, Kinshasa.
The group has said its objective is to overthrow the government of President Félix Tshisekedi.
The Congolese government has repeatedly accused Rwanda of supporting the rebel movement, allegations that Kigali and the rebels have denied.
FRN, meanwhile, says its armed campaign is intended to address what it describes as corruption, discrimination and other grievances within the Congolese government.
The continued fighting has fuelled insecurity and displaced civilians in North Kivu and South Kivu, despite regional and international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.
