Key Facts

• U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent called on Rwanda to stop supporting M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DR Congo.
• The U.S. Treasury alleges Rwanda’s defence ministry sent thousands of troops to fight alongside M23 and provided weapons, equipment, logistics and training.
• The sanctions freeze designated entities’ assets under U.S. jurisdiction and generally bar U.S. people and businesses from conducting transactions with them without authorization or an exemption.
• The U.S. alleges Zigama Credit and Savings Society facilitated transactions for M23, helped pay for military equipment for Rwandan forces and enabled gold shipments from rebel-held areas to Kigali.
• M23 has seized Goma and Bukavu and taken control of mineral-rich areas, including gold-mining sites in South Kivu and the coltan-producing area of Rubaya in North Kivu.
• The Washington Accords, signed by the Congolese and Rwandan presidents in December 2025 under U.S. mediation, aimed to end the conflict and expand regional trade and investment.
• DR Congo welcomed the sanctions and urged Rwanda to meet its commitments and withdraw its troops; Rwanda said it was ready to implement the accords if the other parties also met their obligations.
• The U.S. previously sanctioned Rwanda’s army and four senior military commanders in March 2026, and a gold refinery and three mining companies in June 2026.