The Radical Reading Room

The United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defense on Wednesday, Oct. 28, citing its alleged involvement in the conflict in eastern Congo. The Treasury Department also announced sanctions on Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a Rwandan financial institution. The announcement came as fighting continued between the Congolese government and M23 rebels, whom the reports describe as Rwandan-backed.

The Treasury Department accused the defense ministry of deploying thousands of troops across North and South Kivu provinces and said they operated alongside M23. It also alleged that Rwanda provided the armed group with military equipment, supplies, logistical support and training. Those claims were presented by the department as its basis for the sanctions, not as judicial findings.

Treasury further alleged that Rwandan authorities introduced advanced weapons, including surface-to-air missile systems and jamming equipment, creating risks for civilian aviation in eastern Congo. The department said Zigama had played a key role in facilitating Rwanda’s support for M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance. The reports did not describe any response from the institution to the latest action.

The sanctions follow a U.S.-mediated peace agreement signed late last year by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame, alongside President Donald Trump; fighting has continued, the reports said. Rwanda has consistently denied backing armed groups in Congo. U.N. experts have said they found evidence that Rwandan troops fought alongside and directed M23. The United States had also sanctioned Rwanda’s defense forces and four senior officials earlier this year.