The United States announced sanctions on Rwanda’s military, the Rwanda Defence Force, and four senior officers for allegedly aiding the M23 rebel group and violating a peace agreement in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Kinshasa welcomed the move as a strong signal in support of its sovereignty and territorial integrity, while Kigali criticized the sanctions and accused the DRC of failing to uphold peace obligations.

The M23 has controlled large areas in eastern DRC since 2021, with Kigali’s backing, and is active despite a December peace agreement that was brokered during the previous U.S. administration.

The sanctions come amid the broader context of a peace deal signed in December, which Washington described as a potential breakthrough but warned that violations would trigger penalties.

Fighting persists on multiple fronts, including drone attacks attributed to the AFC/M23 and clashes near key fronts, underscoring the fragility of the ceasefire and regional stability concerns.

The sanctions reflect ongoing tensions in a complex, multi-sided conflict in the mineral-rich eastern Congo where rival armed groups vie for control.

Historically, the eastern Congo conflict has been driven by mineral wealth, with movements like M23 shifting fronts and Goma’s capture and recapture illustrating the volatility.

The sanctions mark a significant shift in Rwanda’s relations with Western powers and raise potential implications for Kigali’s access to minerals and regional stability.

The measures follow a failed mediation led by the United States that sought to advance peace and Western investment, including a December Washington deal between Rwanda and Congo.

UN estimates place M23 fighters at about 6,500, part of a broader conflict that has caused millions of displacement in the region.

The sanctions follow the Washington Accords signed in December by DRC’s Tshisekedi and Rwanda’s Kagame, with M23 remaining linked to a separate peace process led by Qatar; the group briefly seized Uvira before retreating under pressure.

U.S. statements emphasize that continued backing of the M23 undermines DRC sovereignty and facilitates human rights abuses in the region.