US Sanctions Rwanda Defence Ministry and Zigama Bank Over M23 Support in Congo

The United States imposed sanctions on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, on Rwanda's Ministry of Defence and on Zigama Credit and Savings Society. The Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control said both were designated for facilitating Rwanda's support for the March 23 Movement, known as M23, and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance, in eastern Congo.

Reuters reported the same day that Washington seeks to increase pressure on Kigali and bring an end to the fighting in eastern Congo. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said: "Today, the United States makes good on President Trump's promise to hold Rwanda accountable for its commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC."

What Treasury says about troops and weapons

Treasury said the Ministry of Defence directed the Rwanda Defence Force to deploy thousands of troops across North and South Kivu, where they operate alongside M23 and provide it with equipment, supplies, logistical support and training. Those are Treasury allegations, and Rwanda denies backing the successor rebel movement described below.

Treasury said the force has introduced advanced weaponry, including surface-to-air missile systems and jamming equipment, creating risks for civilian aviation in eastern Congo. The force was previously sanctioned on March 2, 2026, so Wednesday's step extends that action to the ministry above it and to a bank Treasury links to the same network.

The bank, the gold and the mining areas

Treasury said Zigama operates on behalf of Rwanda's security services and facilitated payments to entities in China and additional countries for weapons, ammunition and other equipment for the force, and payments for force travel and accommodation for training.

Treasury said a Zigama branch enabled the transport of gold from M23-controlled territory to Kigali, and that Zigama facilitated transactions for M23 and the Congo River Alliance amounting to tens of millions of dollars. It said M23 captured Goma and Bukavu, the capitals of North and South Kivu, in early 2025, and has taken control of mining areas, including gold mines in South Kivu and Rubaya, a large coltan mining area in North Kivu.

What the sanctions do

Both designations were made under Executive Order 13413, as amended. All property of the designated entities in the United States, or in the control of US persons, is blocked and must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Transactions involving them are generally prohibited unless authorized.

Responses from Kigali and Kinshasa

Congo's foreign ministry welcomed the sanctions. It said: "These sanctions send a clear message that Rwanda cannot act with impunity. Rwanda must honor its commitments under the Washington Accords, respect the UN Charter, and withdraw its tens of thousands of troops from the DRC."

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo pointed to unmet commitments on the neutralization of the FDLR. She said: "Rwanda remains ready to fully implement the Washington Accords, concurrently with the willingness of the DRC to fulfill those commitments, and with the mediator holding all parties accountable." Reuters reported that Rwanda denies backing the Refoundation of the Nation rebels, formerly AFC-M23.

The accords in the background

The Washington Accords were signed by the heads of state of Congo and Rwanda on December 4, 2025. On October 12, 2026, the Front for the Refoundation of the Nation announced its formation as the successor to the Congo River Alliance.