The United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence on Wednesday in a fresh round of measures linked to the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo), according to the US Treasury Department.
The move comes amid continued fighting in eastern Congo, where the Rwanda-backed AFC/M23 rebel alliance controls large areas of North and South Kivu provinces.
The rebels seized the region’s two largest cities during a major offensive in early 2025, consolidating their hold over significant territory.
The United Nations and several Western governments have repeatedly accused Rwanda of providing military support to AFC/M23, allegations that Kigali denies.
Washington’s latest sanctions come despite continuing diplomatic efforts, including US-led mediation aimed at ending the conflict. However, successive negotiations have produced little progress on the ground, with hostilities continuing.
Officials from Rwanda and DR Congo did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
