The sanctions, announced by the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), target General Mubarakh Muganga, Chief of Defence Staff; Major General Vincent Nyakarundi, Army Chief of Staff; Major General Ruki Karusisi, Commander of the 5th Infantry Division; and Brigadier General Stanislas Gashugi, Special Operations Force Commander.
In a statement, the Treasury alleged that the officers were involved in “actively supporting, training, and fighting alongside” M23, a rebel group long accused by the United States and the United Nations of committing human rights abuses and fueling mass displacement in eastern Congo.
The move follows what Washington described as a violation of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, a US-brokered agreement aimed at stabilising the region. According to the Treasury, M23 — allegedly backed by RDF elements — seized strategic territory and mining sites despite commitments to de-escalation.
“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,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “We expect the immediate withdrawal of Rwanda Defence Force troops, weapons, and equipment.”
What the sanctions mean
The designations were issued under Executive Order 13413, which authorises sanctions related to the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Under the measures:
All property and interests in property of the designated individuals that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked. This includes bank accounts, real estate, and other financial assets within the U.S. system.
The sanctions also trigger OFAC’s “50 Percent Rule,” meaning that any entity owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more of the sanctioned individuals is likewise blocked.
US persons and institutions are prohibited from engaging in transactions involving the property or interests of the sanctioned officers. This effectively bars them from accessing US dollars or conducting transactions through international banks that rely on the US financial clearing system.
In addition, the provision of funds, goods, or services to or from the designated individuals is prohibited.
Allegations over mineral access
The US government further alleged that Rwanda’s involvement in eastern Congo has been partly driven by economic interests, particularly access to mineral-rich territories.
“Rwanda has gained access to mineral-rich areas of eastern DRC that contribute to the financing of M23’s armed rebellion,” the Treasury statement said.
By targeting both the senior commanders and the RDF institutionally, Washington said it aims to disrupt the “financial, material, logistical, or technological support” sustaining the conflict.
Eastern Congo has experienced years of instability, with M23 re-emerging as a significant armed actor in recent fighting. Rwanda has repeatedly denied backing the group, despite reports from UN experts alleging links between Kigali and the rebels.
OFAC emphasised that sanctions are designed to influence behaviour rather than serve as permanent punishment.
“The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior,” the agency said, noting that individuals may petition for removal from the sanctions list if circumstances change.
The sanctions are likely to heighten diplomatic tensions between Washington and Kigali at a time when regional and international actors are seeking a durable settlement to the crisis in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.