U.S. Imposes Sanctions on Rwandan Officials as Conflict in Eastern Congo Escalates

The sanctions target leaders linked to the M23 rebel group, which has seized key cities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, displacing thousands and fueling regional instability.

The U.S. sanctioned James Kabarebe, a Rwandan minister, and Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, a spokesman for the M23 rebel group, along with two companies linked to Kingston.
M23 rebels, heavily backed by Rwanda according to a U.N. report, have captured Goma, Bukavu, and other strategic areas in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including critical mineral-rich regions.
The conflict has led to widespread displacement, with over 15,000 people fleeing to Burundi in recent days, and reports of looting, child killings, and attacks on hospitals and humanitarian aid facilities by M23 forces.
The U.S. called on Rwanda to withdraw its troops from the DRC and return to peace negotiations through the Luanda Process, emphasizing the need to respect Congolese sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Critics argue that international inaction, driven by geopolitical interests in Congo's mineral wealth, is exacerbating the crisis, as Western nations maintain ties with Rwanda despite its alleged role in the conflict.

United States Department of State

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