The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has announced sanctions against the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four senior officials, citing their support for the March 23 Movement (M23), an armed group already sanctioned by both the United States and the United Nations. The RDF is accused of providing operational assistance, training, and direct military involvement alongside M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
According to Treasury officials, this support enabled M23 to seize key territories in eastern DRC, including Goma and Bukavu, as well as strategic mining sites. The statement noted that “M23’s offensives would not have been possible without the active support and complicity of the RDF and key senior officials.”
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent said, “President Trump is the Peace President, and Treasury will use all tools at its disposal to ensure that the parties to the Washington Accords uphold their obligations. We expect the immediate withdrawal of Rwanda Defence Force troops, weapons, and equipment.”
The announcement follows recent violence after President Donald J. Trump hosted DRC President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame for a peace agreement signing in Washington. Shortly after this event, M23 forces captured Uvira near the DRC-Burundi border—a move that led to civilian casualties and mass displacement. Despite M23 later leaving Uvira, its continued presence near Burundi’s border with ongoing RDF support is seen as a risk for broader regional conflict.
A joint statement from the International Contact Group for the Great Lakes called on RDF forces to withdraw from eastern DRC.
The Treasury detailed how RDF provided advanced military equipment—including GPS jamming systems, air defense equipment, drones—and deployed thousands of troops in combat operations supporting M23. The RDF also trained M23 fighters at its military centers and supported recruitment efforts involving refugees.
In exchange for its backing of M23, Rwanda reportedly gained access to mineral-rich areas in eastern DRC which help finance further rebellion activities by M23.
Four senior Rwandan officials were named: Vincent Nyakarundi (Army Chief of Staff), Ruki Karusisi (Major General and commander of 5th Infantry Division), Mubarakh Muganga (Chief of Defence Staff), and Stanislas Gashugi (Special Operations Force Commander). Each was identified as playing significant roles in planning or commanding operations supporting M23.
The designations are made under Executive Order 13413 as amended by E.O. 13671 for actions threatening peace or stability in DRC or materially assisting sanctioned groups.
As a result of these sanctions, any property or interests belonging to those designated individuals or entities within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. Entities owned at least 50 percent by one or more blocked persons are also subject to blocking measures. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions involving these individuals or entities unless authorized by OFAC.
Violations can lead to civil or criminal penalties for both U.S. and foreign persons involved in prohibited transactions related to blocked persons or attempts to evade sanctions regulations.
“The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law,” according to today’s statement. “The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.”
Further information about seeking removal from an OFAC list is available through official guidance on filing petitions with OFAC.
