US sanctions Rwandan minister over DR Congo fighting
The US Treasury Department said it had designated the country's minister for regional integration James Kabarebe, accusing him of being "central" to Rwanda's support for the M23.
Armored vehicles belonging to the South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF) contingent of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO) drive towards deploy along the road leading to the entrance of the town of Sake, 25km north-west of Goma, on 23 January 2025. Picture: Michael Lunanga/AFP
WASHINGTON - The United States on Thursday unveiled sanctions against a Rwandan government minister over his support for the M23 armed group fighting in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
With support from the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF), the M23 have in recent weeks made big gains in the eastern DRC, seizing the cities of Goma and Bukavu and prompting warnings to the United Nations Security Council. The unrest has stoked fears of a regional conflagration.
The US Treasury Department said it had designated the country's minister for regional integration James Kabarebe, accusing him of being "central" to Rwanda's support for the M23.
READ: M23 pushing advance toward 'strategic zones' in DR Congo, warns UN
Kabarebe "is a Rwandan government liaison to M23 and orchestrates RDF support for the armed group," it said in a statement.
"He has coordinated the export of extracted minerals from mining sites in the DRC for eventual export from Rwanda," it added.
The Treasury also sanctioned Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, a member of the M23 and another group known as the Congo River Alliance, along with two of his companies.
READ: UK summons Rwandan envoy over M23 advance in DR Congo
Treasury's actions are intended to hold accountable officials "enabling the RDF and M23's destabilizing activities in the eastern DRC," said Bradley Smith, the acting Treasury under secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the United States was calling on Rwanda's leaders "to end their support for M23" and withdraw troops from the DRC.
"We also urge the Governments of Rwanda and the DRC to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations and abuses," she said in a statement.