UPDATE - US sanctions Rwandan military, 4 of its senior officers over Congo rebel support

ADDS STATEMENTS BY RWANDA, DR CONGO; EDITS THROUGH

By Yasin Gungor and James Tasamba

ISTANBUL/KIGALI, Rwanda (AA) - The US has sanctioned Rwanda's military and four of its senior officers, accusing them of actively supporting the M23 rebel group in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

The US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Monday designated the Rwandan Defense Force (RDF) and four senior officials as part of the sanctions package.

Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Vincent Nyakarundi, Maj. Gen. Ruki Karusisi, Chief of Defense Staff Gen. Mubarakh Muganga, and Special Operations Force Commander Brig. Gen. Stanislas Gashugi were targeted in the latest move.

Washington accused the RDF of "actively supporting, training and fighting alongside" the M23, a US and UN-sanctioned group, enabling it to seize territory including the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu, and mining sites in eastern Congo.

The US said it would not have been possible "without the active support and complicity of the RDF," and also accused the M23 of "summary executions and violence against civilians, including women and children."

"We expect the immediate withdrawal of Rwandan Defense Force troops, weapons and equipment," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, warning that Washington would use "all tools at its disposal" to enforce compliance with the Washington Accords, a peace agreement signed by the leaders of Congo and Rwanda in December under US President Donald Trump's auspices.

The US State Department said M23 rebels captured the Congolese city of Uvira "in clear violation of the Washington Accords."

In a statement, Rwanda regretted the sanctions as “one sided” and defended its military.

“The sanctions issued by the United States unjustly targeting only one party to the peace process misrepresent the reality and distort the facts of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo,” it said.

“Consistent and indiscriminate drone attacks and ground offensives constitute clear violations of ceasefire agreements by the DRC, and continue to cost many lives. Protecting our country is a badge of honor which the Rwanda Defense Force carries very proudly.”

Rwanda accused Congo of not taking any steps to end support to the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and associated militias, as it had “committed, in the Washington Accords.”

“Rwanda remains committed to delivering on all aspects of the Washington Accords, including the Regional Economic Integration Framework.”

Congo welcomed the US sanctions decision against Rwandan military and four of its senior officers, saying the measures are a “strong signal in favor of respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo).”