KIGALI — In a major diplomatic shift, the United States Department of the Treasury has officially sanctioned the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four of its senior military commanders.
The decision, announced this week, targets the heart of Rwanda’s military leadership following renewed instability in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The Allegations
The U.S. government claims that Rwandan forces provided direct support to the M23 armed group during the capture of the city of Uvira. This action is being characterized by Washington as a “blatant violation” of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, a regional peace deal brokered in late 2025.
In a statement regarding the enforcement of the sanctions, the U.S. Treasury noted that the move is intended to “promote accountability for those who undermine the peace, security, and stability of the region”.
The Sanctioned Officers
The four individuals named in the report are:
• General Mubarakh Muganga, Chief of Defence Staff.
• Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, Army Chief of Staff.
• Major General Ruki Karusisi, Commander of the 5th Infantry Division.
• Brigadier General Stanislas Gashugi, Special Operations Force commander.
The sanctions effectively freeze any assets these individuals or the RDF hold within U.S. jurisdiction and prohibit American entities from conducting business with them. A grace period for winding down existing operations has been set until April 1, 2026.
The Response from Kigali
The Government of Rwanda has moved quickly to dismiss the U.S. position. In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed deep “regret” over the decision, labeling the sanctions as “one-sided” and “unjust”.
Kigali argues that the measures fail to address the complexities of the conflict, stating that the U.S. narrative “distorts the facts on the ground” while ignoring the failure of the DRC government to meet its own international peace obligations.
As the April 1st deadline approaches, all eyes are on how this will impact regional military cooperation and Rwanda’s broader diplomatic relations with the West.
Author
About The Author
