US sanctions Rwanda’s defence ministry over alleged M23 support

The United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s defence ministry on October 28, 2026, over alleged support for the M23 rebel group and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance, in eastern Congo. The US Treasury announced the measures, saying they were intended to press Rwanda to meet commitments under a peace agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo. Treasury alleges that Rwanda’s security forces supplied M23 with weapons, equipment, training and logistical assistance, and conducted joint operations with the group. Those allegations are the US government’s stated basis for the sanctions; the reports do not independently corroborate them or include a response from Rwanda. The department also alleges that Rwanda’s security services helped finance military equipment and training linked to the conflict. It said Zigama Credit and Savings Society, which it described as operating on behalf of Rwanda’s security services, facilitated payments for weapons and ammunition and covered some travel and accommodation costs. Treasury further alleged that a Zigama branch moved gold from M23-controlled territory to Kigali and handled tens of millions of dollars in transactions for M23...