US sanctions Rwanda defence ministry over alleged M23 support in DR Congo
US Treasury sanctions Rwanda's defence ministry and Zigama bank, alleging support for M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo; Kigali denies backing the group.
The story in focus
BBC News reports the US Treasury sanctioned Rwanda's defence ministry on 29 October 2026, alleging it directed troops to fight with M23 rebels in eastern DR Congo and supplied weapons, training and logistics. Washington also sanctioned Zigama Credit and Savings Society. Rwanda denies backing M23 and says it is ready to implement the December 2025 Washington Accords.
- US Treasury sanctioned Rwanda's defence ministry, alleging it directed troops to fight alongside M23 and provided weapons, logistics and training.
- Zigama Credit and Savings Society was also sanctioned over alleged transactions for M23 and the Congo River Alliance.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Rwanda must halt support for M23 and withdraw troops from eastern DR Congo.
- Rwanda denies backing M23; a spokesperson told the BBC Kigali is ready to implement the Washington Accords if DR Congo meets its commitments.
- DR Congo's foreign ministry welcomed the sanctions and urged Rwanda to honour the accords.
US action targets ministry and bank
The US Treasury imposed sanctions on Rwanda's defence ministry, saying it directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and provided weapons, equipment, logistics and training. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Rwanda must halt support for M23 and withdraw its troops from the region.
Washington also sanctioned Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a financial institution serving Rwanda's security services. The Treasury alleges it handled tens of millions of dollars in transactions for M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance, helped pay for military equipment from China and enabled gold shipments from rebel-held areas to Kigali. The measures freeze designated assets under US jurisdiction and generally bar US persons and businesses from transactions with the entities.
Kigali denies backing rebels
Rwanda denies backing M23. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told the BBC that Kigali remains ready to fully implement the December 2025 Washington Accords provided DR Congo fulfils its commitments, including on the FDLR militia. Fighting has continued in eastern DR Congo since early 2025, when M23 seized Goma and Bukavu.
DR Congo's foreign ministry welcomed the sanctions and urged Rwanda to respect the UN Charter and withdraw troops from Congolese territory. The sanctions follow earlier US measures against Rwanda's army and commanders in March 2026 and against a gold refinery and mining companies in June 2026.
What did the US Treasury allege about Rwanda's defence ministry and M23?
The Treasury alleged the ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 in eastern DR Congo, providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training. Rwanda denies backing the group.
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