Rwanda Condemns U.S. Sanctions, Calls Them Unilateral and One-Sided

KIGALI March 2, 2026 - The Rwandan government criticized the recent sanctions imposed by the United States on the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) and four Rwandan nationals, describing the measures as “unilateral” and unfairly targeting “only one party” involved in the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In an official statement, Kigali argued that the sanctions “distort the reality” of the security situation in eastern Congo and fail to account for alleged violations by the DRC government, including “constant and indiscriminate drone attacks” and ground offensives that have reportedly caused numerous civilian casualties. The statement also highlights that the DRC’s coalition forces reportedly include foreign mercenaries, state-backed ethnic militias such as the Wazalendo, and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), described by Kigali as a “genocidal militia” operating alongside the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC). Rwanda asserts that under the Washington Accords, the DRC committed to ending support for the FDLR and allied militias in a verifiable and irreversible manner, but has yet to take any meaningful action. Kigali emphasizes that it remains fully committed to the disengagement of its own forces, in parallel with DRC’s compliance. Finally, the Rwandan government reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the Washington Agreements, including the regional economic integration framework, and called for a “balanced” approach from international partners through mechanisms such as the Joint Monitoring Committee. This statement comes shortly after the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the RDF and four Rwandan individuals for their role in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, citing Rwanda’s support for the AFC/M23 rebel movement.

Faits rapportés

KIGALI March 2, 2026 - The Rwandan government criticized the recent sanctions imposed by the United States on the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) and four Rwandan nationals, describing the measures as “unilateral” and unfairly targeting “only one party” involved in the peace process in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In an official statement, Kigali argued that the sanctions “distort the reality” of the security situation in eastern Congo and fail to account for alleged violations by the DRC government, including “constant and indiscriminate drone attacks” and ground offensives that have reportedly caused numerous civilian casualties. The statement also highlights that the DRC’s coalition forces reportedly include foreign mercenaries, state-backed ethnic militias such as the Wazalendo, and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), described by Kigali as a “genocidal militia” operating alongside the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC). Rwanda asserts that under the Washington Accords, the DRC committed to ending support for the FDLR and allied militias in a verifiable and irreversible manner, but has yet to take any meaningful action. Kigali emphasizes that it remains fully committed to the disengagement of its own forces, in parallel with DRC’s compliance. Finally, the Rwandan government reaffirmed its commitment to the full implementation of the Washington Agreements, including the regional economic integration framework, and called for a “balanced” approach from international partners through mechanisms such as the Joint Monitoring Committee. This statement comes shortly after the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned the RDF and four Rwandan individuals for their role in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, citing Rwanda’s support for the AFC/M23 rebel movement.