Alain Destexhe, a former Belgian senator, has criticized the United States for imposing sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and several senior military officials, arguing that the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the country truly responsible for regional conflict.
On March 2, 2026, the U.S. announced sanctions targeting the RDF and four senior officers—Gen. Mubarakh Muganga, Chief of Defence Staff; Gen. Maj Vincent Nyakarundi, Land Forces Commander; Brig. Gen Stanislas Gashugi, Special Forces Commander; and Gen. Maj Ruki Karusisi, Fifth Division Commander—as well as RDF as an institution.
These measures, administered by the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), freeze any U.S.-controlled assets of the targeted individuals and bar them from transactions under U.S. jurisdiction.
In a statement on his X account on March 3, Destexhe, who served in the Belgian Senate from 1995 to 2011, said the sanctions were misplaced. He argued that the DRC, not Rwanda, should face accountability for ongoing regional violence, citing President Felix Tshisekedi’s alleged corruption and the DRC’s support for armed groups like FDLR, composed of 1994 genocide perpetrators.
Destexhe further accused the DRC of using foreign mercenaries to attack civilians, particularly in Minembwe, and criticized Tshisekedi for diverting resources toward fighting M23 despite his military’s inability to secure decisive victories.
He concluded with a direct warning to the U.S.: “Wake up, America. Be vigilant,” urging Washington to reconsider its sanctions approach.
Destexhe is also a former Secretary General of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and contributes political analysis to outlets including Le Figaro, CNews, and Causeur.
