The United States has announced sanctions against the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF) and four of its senior officers over alleged direct operational support to the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The move comes a couple of months after U.S. President Donald J. Trump presided over the December 4, 2025 signing of the Joint Declaration of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity alongside DRC President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame.
According to Washington, Rwanda-backed M23 fighters captured the strategic Congolese city of Uvira shortly after the accords were signed — a move described by U.S. officials as a clear violation of the agreement.
M23, which is already under U.S. and UN sanctions, has been accused of grave human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians, particularly women and children. The U.S. government says continued backing from the RDF and its senior leadership has enabled the group to seize sovereign Congolese territory and sustain these violations.
In a statement, Washington reaffirmed its commitment to peace and stability in eastern DRC and the broader Great Lakes region, describing the Washington Accords as a decisive turning point aimed at fostering cooperation and prosperity among regional neighbors.
The sanctions were imposed under the authority of Executive Order 13413, as amended — a legal framework targeting individuals and entities contributing to instability in the DRC.
The latest measures signal heightened diplomatic pressure on Kigali and underscore Washington’s stated readiness to use “all available tools” to ensure compliance with the peace framework.
