KIGALI, March 2, 2026 — The Government of Rwanda has expressed strong regret over sanctions imposed by the United States, describing them as one-sided and misrepresentative of the security situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a statement issued by the Office of the Government Spokesperson on Monday, Kigali said the sanctions “unjustly target only one party to the peace process” and distort the reality of the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.
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According to the statement, Rwanda argues that persistent drone strikes and ground offensives by the Congolese side constitute clear violations of ceasefire agreements and continue to result in civilian casualties. Kigali maintains that protecting its national security remains a legitimate and sovereign responsibility carried out by the Rwanda Defence Force.
The government further accused the DRC coalition of working alongside foreign mercenaries, state-backed ethnic militias known as Wazalendo, and the FDLR, which Rwanda describes as a genocidal militia operating in coordination with the Congolese armed forces (FARDC).
Rwanda stated that under the Washington Accords, the DRC committed to an irreversible and verifiable end to state support for the FDLR and associated armed groups. However, Kigali claims that no concrete steps have been taken to fulfill those obligations.
Despite the diplomatic tensions, Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to disengagement of forces in coordination with the DRC, provided that Kinshasa implements its own responsibilities under the agreed frameworks.
The statement also welcomed the resumption of the implementation process under the Joint Oversight Committee, emphasizing the need for an even-handed approach by all international partners.
Kigali reiterated its dedication to delivering on all aspects of the Washington Accords, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework, as part of broader efforts to restore stability in the Great Lakes region.
The US sanctions come amid escalating international scrutiny over the conflict in eastern DRC, where renewed fighting has displaced thousands and heightened regional tensions.
