The United States has sanctioned Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and a Rwandan financial institution, accusing them of supporting the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The United States has sanctioned Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and the Zigama Credit and Savings Society, accusing them of supporting the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The U.S. Treasury Department said Wednesday that the sanctions target what it described as their role in supporting M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance.

What the U.S. Treasury alleges

Treasury accused the ministry of directing thousands of Rwanda Defense Force troops in North and South Kivu and providing M23 with military equipment, supplies, logistics and training.

It also accused Zigama of facilitating payments for weapons and other military equipment for the Rwandan army, as well as transactions involving M23 and the Congo River Alliance worth tens of millions of dollars.

Treasury further alleged that a Zigama branch helped move gold from M23-controlled areas in the eastern DRC to Kigali. The U.S. said M23 controls mining areas including Rubaya, a major coltan-producing area in North Kivu.

Sanctions follow the Washington Accords

The sanctions come months after Rwanda and the DRC signed the U.S.-brokered Washington Accords in December 2025, aimed at ending the conflict and promoting regional economic cooperation.

Fighting has continued despite the agreement. Washington has demanded that Rwanda withdraw its troops from the eastern DRC and end its support for M23.

Rwanda denies supporting M23

Rwanda has repeatedly denied supporting M23. Kigali says it remains committed to the Washington Accords but insists the DRC must fulfill its commitment to neutralize the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), an armed group Rwanda considers a security threat.

The DRC welcomed the latest U.S. sanctions and called on Rwanda to withdraw its forces.