The Government of Rwanda has condemned sanctions imposed by the United States on senior officers of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), describing the measures as biased and misleading regarding the long-standing insecurity in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In a statement issued on Monday, 2 March 2026, Kigali said the sanctions present a distorted picture of the security crisis in the region.
Earlier that day, Washington announced sanctions against several senior RDF officers, including Maj Gen Vincent Nyakarundi, Maj Gen Ruki Karusisi, Gen Mubarakh Muganga and Brig Gen Stanislas Gashugi.
The United States accuses Rwanda of supporting the AFC/M23 rebel movement fighting the Congolese government. However, Kigali maintains that the allegations lack credible evidence and are intended to divert attention from ongoing violence and killings allegedly committed by a coalition of forces backed by the government of the DRC.
Rwanda has repeatedly stated that this coalition includes foreign mercenaries, Burundian forces, local militia groups such as Wazalendo, and the FDLR — an armed group composed of individuals linked to the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Kigali argues that these groups have been involved in attacks targeting Congolese Tutsi communities in eastern Congo.
According to the statement, the US sanctions were imposed unilaterally at a time when parties to the conflict are engaged in peace talks aimed at resolving the protracted crisis in the region.
Rwanda further accused the Congolese army of continuing drone and ground attacks in violation of ceasefire agreements, resulting in civilian casualties.
Kigali emphasised that safeguarding national sovereignty and security remains a core responsibility of the RDF, stressing that the force has never allied with armed groups destabilising the region. Instead, it said, its actions are strictly aimed at protecting Rwanda’s borders and addressing security threats.
Under agreements signed in Washington on 3 December 2025, the DRC committed to permanently and verifiably ending its support for the FDLR and affiliated groups.
However, Rwanda argues that there has been no visible progress by Kinshasa in implementing these commitments, and that military operations affecting civilians in eastern Congo have persisted.
Rwanda reiterated its readiness to implement the Washington agreements, provided that the DRC respects the ceasefire and decisively dismantles the FDLR. It also expressed support for the resumption of the Washington process.
In conclusion, Kigali reaffirmed its commitment to fully implementing all provisions of the Washington agreements, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework, as part of efforts to promote lasting peace and sustainable development in the region.
