Rwanda on Monday condemned US sanctions over the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo conflict, saying they unjustly target only one party to the peace process and misrepresent the reality.
Kigali accused the DRC of ceasefire violations and reaffirmed commitment to the Washington Accords, while insisting on an “even-handed approach” from international partners.
In a statement issued on March 2, 2026, the Office of the Government Spokesperson in Kigali said the measures “unjustly targeting only one party to the peace process misrepresent the reality and distort the facts of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.”
The statement accused the DRC of repeatedly violating ceasefire agreements through aerial and ground attacks. “Consistent and indiscriminate drone attacks and ground offensives constitute clear violations of ceasefire agreements by the DRC, and continue to cost many lives,” it said.
Rwanda also defended the role of its armed forces, stating, “Protecting our country is a badge of honour which the Rwanda Defense Force carries very proudly.”
The sanctions come amid renewed international attention on instability in eastern DRC, a region long plagued by armed groups, cross-border tensions and humanitarian crises. Rwanda’s statement painted a complex picture of alliances and militias operating within the DRC.
The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, aimed at ending conflict between the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Rwanda, were formally signed on December 4, 2025 in Washington, D.C by President Félix Tshisekedi of the DRC and President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, with U.S. President Donald J. Trump present as a witness.
The peace treaty builds on an earlier agreement between the foreign ministers of both countries, which was initialled on June 27, 2025 in Washington under the mediation of the United States and other partners.
At that time, Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olivier Nduhungirehe, and DRC’s Foreign Minister Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner signed the preliminary peace accord under the auspices of U.S. officials.
The agreement emerged after years of instability in a region rich in minerals but plagued by armed groups, including the rebel group M23 and the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR), a militia linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide.
The accords set out several key commitments, Rwanda would withdraw its forces from eastern DRC, and the Congolese government pledged to end support for the FDLR and associated militias.
Under the terms, both governments agreed to a 90-day plan for troop withdrawal, the creation of a joint security coordination mechanism within 30 days, and a Regional Economic Integration Framework within three months to bolster cross-border trade and cooperation.
Despite the signing, the conflict continued, with rebel forces capturing major cities like Goma and Bukavu in late 2025 and provoking criticism that the accord has so far failed to halt violence on the ground.
Against this backdrop, the United States imposed sanctions in February 2025 on Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, and a senior member of the M23 rebel group, along with related companies, alleging they enabled Rwanda’s support for M23 and destabilised eastern Congo.
According to Kigali, “The DRC coalition includes foreign mercenaries, state-sponsored extremist ethnic militias (Wazalendo), and the FDLR genocidal militia which fights alongside the FARDC.”
The FDLR, a militia group formed by remnants linked to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda, has been a persistent source of friction between the two neighbouring countries. Rwanda has repeatedly accused the DRC of tolerating or supporting its activities.
In the latest statement, the government referred to commitments made under the Washington Accords.
It said, “The DRC committed, in the Washington Accords, to an irreversible and verifiable end to state support for the FDLR and associated militias, but have not taken any steps to do so.”
Rwanda insisted that its own military posture is conditional and linked to reciprocal action by Kinshasa.
“Rwanda is fully committed to disengagement of its forces in tandem with the DRC implementing their obligations,” the statement said.
The reference to disengagement suggests ongoing negotiations aimed at de-escalation. Rwanda welcomed what it described as renewed efforts to move the process forward.
“Rwanda welcomes the resumption of the implementation process, including the Joint Oversight Committee, which requires an even-handed approach from all partners,” it said.
The Joint Oversight Committee is intended to monitor compliance with agreed security and political commitments under the Washington Accords framework.
Rwanda emphasised that balanced international engagement would be essential to progress.
“Rwanda remains committed to delivering on all aspects of the Washington Accords, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework,” the statement added.
The Regional Economic Integration Framework is designed to promote cross-border trade and cooperation, viewed by many policymakers as critical to addressing the underlying economic drivers of conflict in the Great Lakes region.
The United States has not yet publicly responded to Rwanda’s latest remarks. However, Kigali’s statement makes clear that it sees the sanctions as undermining rather than supporting the peace process.
By framing the measures as “one-sided” and accusing the DRC of breaching ceasefire agreements, Rwanda has signalled that it believes responsibility for continued instability does not lie solely with Kigali.
The diplomatic exchange highlights the fragility of current efforts to stabilise eastern DRC and the sensitivity of international involvement.
As implementation mechanisms resume, much may depend on whether both sides can meet their stated commitments and whether external partners adopt what Rwanda calls “an even-handed approach.”
For now, tensions remain high, with Rwanda firmly rejecting the premise of the sanctions and reiterating its commitment to both national security and regional agreements.
