The United States has imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four senior military officials for their role in supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The sanctions come amid ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, despite a peace deal signed by Rwanda and DR Congo in Washington last December.
Key Takeaways
The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's Defense Force (RDF) and four senior military officials for supporting the M23 rebel group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The sanctions come amid ongoing conflict despite a peace deal signed last December.
- US Treasury Department accuses Rwandan forces of undermining peace agreement by backing M23 rebels
- Sanctions target Vincent Nyakarundi, Major-General Ruki Karusisi, Mubarakh Muganga, and Stanislas Gashugi
- Measures freeze any assets held in the US by these individuals or the RDF
- Rwanda rejects accusations and accuses DR Congo of violating ceasefire arrangements
- Congolese government expresses appreciation for US sanctions
The US Treasury Department accused Rwandan forces of undermining the peace agreement by training, equipping, and fighting alongside M23 rebels. The department stated that the rebels' gains would not have been possible without Rwandan backing. According to reports from Reuters, Rwanda swiftly rejected these accusations.
The sanctions target four key Rwandan military officials: Vincent Nyakarundi, army chief of staff; Major-General Ruki Karusisi, commander of the 5th Infantry Division; Mubarakh Muganga, chief of defence staff; and Stanislas Gashugi, head of special operations. The measures freeze any assets held in the US by these individuals or the RDF.
In response to the sanctions, Rwanda accused DR Congo of violating ceasefire arrangements through drone attacks and ground offensives. According to BBC, Rwanda also claimed that DR Congo employed ethnic militias and mercenaries. The Congolese government expressed appreciation for the US sanctions, describing them as a clear signal of support for its sovereignty.
The US State Department emphasized that M23 is responsible for human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians. The department expects an immediate withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern DRC in line with the December peace deal.
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