M23 armed group spokesperson Willy Ngoma (C) raises his hands while acknowledging the crowd gathered at the Stade de l'Unité (Unity Stadium) in Goma during a public gathering called by the armed group, on February 6, 2025. JOSPIN MWISHA / AFP
The United States said Monday, March 2, that it was imposing sanctions on Rwanda's military, taking action against a longtime partner it accused of violating a peace agreement in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The mineral-rich east of DRC has seen decades of conflict, but violence flared last year when the Rwandan-backed M23 group made huge gains, capturing strategic mines and towns and displacing thousands of people.
In December, US President Donald Trump brought together the leaders of Rwanda and the DRC to sign a peace deal, predicting a "great miracle." But just days afterwards, the State Department noted, the M23 captured the key Congolese city of Uvira.
The United States said it was imposing sanctions against the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four officers, including the army chief of staff, Vincent Nyakarundi, saying they were critical to M23 gains.
"M23, a US- and UN-sanctioned entity, is responsible for horrific human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians, including women and children," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement. "The continued backing from the RDF and its senior leadership has enabled M23 to capture DRC sovereign territory and continue these grave abuses."
