Kagame Fires Back After Trump Imposes Sanctions on His Army and Top 4 Commanders

Rwanda President Paul Kagame has fired back at the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump for imposing sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four of its top army commanders over their alleged direct operational support for the March 23 Movement (M23) and its affiliates in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

In a statement dated Monday, March 2, 2026, issued hours after the U.S. government announced the sanctions, Rwanda’s government described the measures as unjust and accused Washington of unfairly targeting one side of the conflict.

“The sanctions issued today by the United States unjustly target 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 said.

Kagame Responds Hours After Trump’s Govt Imposes Sanctions on His Army

Kagame argued that persistent and indiscriminate drone strikes and ground offensives by the DRC constitute clear violations of ceasefire agreements and continue to cost lives. He maintained that protecting Rwanda’s national security is a matter of pride for the Rwanda Defence Force.

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The Rwandan government also accused the Congolese military, under President Félix Tshisekedi, of working with foreign mercenaries, state-backed ethnic militias known as Wazalendo, and the FDLR, a militia Rwanda accuses of being behind the 1994 genocide, which it claims operates alongside the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC).

“The DRC committed, in the Washington Accords, to an irreversible and verifiable end to state support for the FDLR and associated militias, but has not taken any steps to do so,” the Rwandan government stated.

Kagame’s administration said Rwanda remains fully committed to the disengagement of its forces, provided the DRC fulfills its obligations under the peace framework. It also welcomed the resumption of the Joint Oversight Committee and called for an even-handed approach from international partners.

Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to implementing all aspects of the Washington Accords, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework.

US Treasury Sanctions RDF Leaders

Rwanda’s response came shortly after the United States Department of the Treasury announced sanctions against the RDF and four senior officers for what it described as direct operational support to M23 and its affiliates in eastern DRC.

“Today, the United States is sanctioning the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four senior RDF officers for their direct operational support to the March 23 Movement (M23) and its affiliates in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” the Treasury said.

According to the U.S., just days after President Trump presided over the December 4, 2025 signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity alongside Presidents Tshisekedi and Kagame, Rwanda-backed M23 fighters captured the Congolese city of Uvira, in what Washington described as a clear violation of the agreement.

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The Trump administration accused M23, a group sanctioned by both the U.S. and the United Nations, of committing serious human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians, particularly women and children.

The Treasury further alleged that continued backing from the RDF and its senior leadership enabled M23 to seize sovereign Congolese territory and sustain its operations.

In exchange for its alleged support, the U.S. claimed Rwanda gained access to mineral-rich areas in eastern DRC that help finance M23’s rebellion.

Officials Sanctioned

The officers sanctioned include:

Vincent Nyakarundi, Army Chief of Staff of the RDF and a senior commander of Rwanda’s land forces, accused of overseeing operations in support of M23.
Ruki Karusisi, a Major General and commander of the RDF’s 5th Infantry Division, who previously led the Special Operations Force and allegedly supervised operations backing M23.
Mubarakh Muganga, Chief of Defence Staff, who before his appointment in June 2023 served as Army Chief of Staff and is accused of playing a key role in planning operations in eastern DRC.
Stanislas Gashugi, appointed Special Operations Force Commander on March 15, 2025, replacing Karusisi.

The United States reiterated its commitment to peace and stability in eastern DRC and the wider Great Lakes region.

“The Washington Accords mark a decisive turning point for the Great Lakes region, setting a new course for peace, cooperation, and prosperity among neighbors. Today’s action demonstrates U.S. resolve to uphold the Washington Accords. As President Trump has made clear, the United States is prepared to use all available tools to ensure the DRC and Rwanda deliver on the promises of this historic agreement,” the Treasury said.

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