4 publishers · first seen Wed, 28 Oct 2026 13:53 UTC · updated Fri, 30 Oct 2026 20:39 UTC
The United States has imposed sanctions on Rwanda's defence ministry and Zigama Credit and Savings Society over allegations of supporting the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The measures freeze assets under US jurisdiction and prohibit transactions by US individuals or businesses with the designated entities. The US Treasury says Rwanda's defence ministry directed thousands of troops to fight alongside M23, providing weapons, equipment, logistics and training, and that Zigama facilitated tens of millions of dollars in transactions for M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance.
The sanctions follow the December 2025 Washington Accords, a US-brokered agreement between Rwanda and DR Congo aimed at ending the conflict, which has continued despite the deal. Fighting resumed in early 2025 when M23 seized Goma and Bukavu. The US also alleges that minerals from rebel-held areas in eastern DRC enter Rwanda's supply chains, contributing to exports exceeding Rwanda's production.
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