KIGALI – Rwanda has sharply criticised new sanctions imposed by the United States (US), describing them as unfair, selective and misleading in the context of the long-running conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a strongly worded statement issued on 2 March 2026, the Office of the Government Spokesperson said:
“The sanctions issued today by the United States unjustly targeting only one party to the peace process misrepresent the reality and distort the facts of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The response follows action by the US Treasury Department placing sanctions on elements of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and senior military officials. Washington accuses Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel movement operating in eastern Congo, an allegation Kigali has repeatedly denied.
But Rwanda’s statement makes clear it believes the sanctions ignore what it calls violations by Kinshasa.
“Consistent and indiscriminate drone attacks and ground offensives constitute clear violations of ceasefire agreements by the DRC, and continue to cost many lives.”
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The Security Argument
Rwanda’s message is unapologetic when it comes to national defence.
“Protecting our country is a badge of honour which the Rwanda Defense Force carries very proudly.”
For Kigali, the eastern Congo crisis is not just a regional issue, it is a direct national security concern. Rwanda has long argued that armed groups operating in eastern DRC, particularly the FDLR, a militia linked to perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, pose an ongoing threat.
Rwanda’s strongest accusation, however, was directed at what it describes as Kinshasa’s military alliances on the ground. Kigali argues that the security situation in eastern Congo cannot be understood without acknowledging who is fighting alongside the Congolese army.
In unusually direct language, the statement says:
“The DRC coalition includes foreign mercenaries, state-sponsored extremist ethnic militias (Wazalendo), and the FDLR genocidal militia which fights alongside the FARDC. The DRC committed, in the Washington Accords, to an irreversible and verifiable end to state support for the FDLR and associated militias, but have not taken any steps to do so. Rwanda is fully committed to disengagement of its forces in tandem with the DRC implementing their obligations.”
Washington Accords Under Scrutiny
Rwanda also referenced the 2025 Washington Accords, a peace framework meant to reset relations between Kigali and Kinshasa and bring an end to hostilities.
“The DRC committed, in the Washington Accords, to an irreversible and verifiable end to state support for the FDLR and associated militias, but have not taken any steps to do so.”
That accusation goes to the heart of the diplomatic dispute. The United States sees sanctions as leverage to push Rwanda to disengage. Rwanda, however, insists the process must be reciprocal.
“Rwanda is fully committed to disengagement of its forces in tandem with the DRC implementing their obligations.”
Call for “Even-Handed” Approach
While rejecting the sanctions, Rwanda signalled willingness to continue diplomatic engagement.
“Rwanda welcomes the resumption of the implementation process, including the Joint Oversight Committee, which requires an even-handed approach from all partners.”
The statement concludes with a reaffirmation:
“Rwanda remains committed to delivering on all aspects of the Washington Accords, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework.”
Broader Context
Eastern DRC has been plagued by cycles of armed conflict involving rebel movements, community militias and foreign-linked groups. The resurgence of M23 in recent years has triggered mass displacement and renewed accusations that Rwanda is backing the group, something Kigali firmly denies.
The U.S. sanctions freeze assets under U.S. jurisdiction and restrict transactions involving the named entities. Kigali’s response
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