WASHINGTON — The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and a financial institution accused of facilitating military and financial support for the M23 rebel group operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The sanctions, announced on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, by the US Department of the Treasury, target Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a Rwandan financial institution that Washington says has helped finance activities linked to Rwanda’s security services, M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the measures were intended to enforce commitments made under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed by the presidents of Rwanda and the DRC in December 2025.
“Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC,” Bessent said in a statement.
According to the Treasury Department, Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence oversees the country’s security services, including the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), which Washington sanctioned in March 2026 over its alleged involvement in the conflict.
The US government accuses Rwandan troops of operating alongside M23 fighters in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, providing the group with military equipment, supplies, logistical assistance and training.
Washington also alleges that Rwandan forces introduced advanced military equipment, including surface-to-air missile systems and jamming devices, into the conflict zone, raising concerns about the safety of civilian aviation.
Zigama Credit and Savings Society is accused of facilitating payments for weapons, ammunition and other military equipment purchased from suppliers in China and other countries. The Treasury Department also alleges that the institution covered travel and accommodation expenses for Rwandan military personnel undertaking training.
The US government further claims that Zigama facilitated financial transactions worth tens of millions of dollars linked to M23 and the Congo River Alliance.
One of the institution’s branches allegedly helped transport gold from areas controlled by M23 in eastern Congo to Rwanda’s capital, Kigali.
The sanctions block any property and financial interests belonging to the designated entities that fall under US jurisdiction. They also generally prohibit US persons from conducting transactions involving the sanctioned entities unless an exemption or specific authorisation applies.
The restrictions extend to entities owned, directly or indirectly, at least 50 per cent by one or more sanctioned parties.
The latest measures add to Washington’s efforts to pressure Kigali over the conflict in eastern Congo, where M23 has captured strategic territory, including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, during offensives in early 2025.
The rebel group has also gained control of important mining areas, including gold-producing sites in South Kivu and the Rubaya coltan-mining area in North Kivu.
The Treasury Department accuses M23 of committing human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, unlawful detentions and torture. It also says civilians in mining areas under the group’s control have faced forced labour, dangerous working conditions and illegal taxation.
The conflict has contributed to a humanitarian crisis marked by widespread displacement and continued insecurity across the region.
The Washington Accords, signed on December 4, 2025, were intended to provide a framework for ending hostilities, respecting territorial sovereignty and strengthening regional economic cooperation. They also included commitments to improve transparency in critical mineral supply chains.
However, fighting has continued despite diplomatic efforts to implement the agreement.
Rwanda has repeatedly disputed accusations of directly supporting M23 and has previously criticised US sanctions against its military officials, describing earlier measures as one-sided and an inaccurate representation of the conflict.
The US Treasury Department said the latest designations were aimed at holding parties accountable for their commitments under the peace agreement and limiting financial and material support for armed groups operating in eastern Congo.
The Rwandan government’s immediate response to Wednesday’s sanctions was not available at the time of publication.
