US sanctions Rwanda’s defence ministry and Zigama bank

The US imposed sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society by 29 October 2026, immediately freezing assets within US reach and generally prohibiting dealings by US individuals and businesses unless authorised or exempt. The US Treasury alleges that the ministry directed military support for M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo and that Zigama helped finance that support. Rwanda denies backing M23.

The action follows the US-brokered Washington Accords, signed by the Rwandan and Congolese presidents on 4 December 2025. The agreement sought to end the conflict and expand regional trade and investment, but fighting has continued.

Which assets and dealings are covered

The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which administers US sanctions, imposed the measures under Executive Order 13413, as amended. The restrictions cover:

• Assets: all property and interests in property belonging to the designated entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of US persons must be frozen and reported to OFAC.
• Owned entities: the freeze also covers entities owned at least 50%, directly or indirectly, by one or more blocked parties, whether individually or together.
• Transactions: dealings involving blocked property are generally prohibited when conducted by US persons or within, or passing through, the United States. This includes providing funds, goods or services by, to or for the benefit of blocked parties, and receiving funds, goods or services from them. An OFAC general or specific licence, or an exemption, can permit otherwise prohibited dealings.

Foreign parties are also prohibited from evading the sanctions or causing or conspiring to cause US persons to violate them, whether the US persons act knowingly or unknowingly. Violations can bring civil or criminal penalties for US and foreign parties. OFAC can impose civil penalties without having to establish knowledge or intent, and financial institutions and others can risk sanctions themselves for certain dealings with blocked parties.

What Treasury alleges

Rwanda’s defence ministry oversees the country’s security services, including the Rwanda Defence Force. Treasury alleges that the ministry directed thousands of troops into eastern DR Congo’s North and South Kivu provinces to operate alongside M23, the rebel group formally named the March 23 Movement, which is designated by the US and UN. The forces supplied military equipment, supplies, logistical support and training.

M23 seized Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. The group also took mining areas, including gold mines in South Kivu and the major coltan-mining area of Rubaya in North Kivu. Those mining areas figure in Treasury’s allegations about Zigama, a financial institution serving Rwanda’s security services.

Treasury alleges that Zigama facilitated tens of millions of dollars in transactions for M23 and the Congo River Alliance, which it describes as M23's political wing. Zigama also handled payments to suppliers in China and other countries for weapons, ammunition and military equipment for Rwanda’s forces, and that a Zigama branch enabled gold from rebel-controlled territory to be transported to Kigali.

The latest measures extend earlier US sanctions. OFAC sanctioned the Rwanda Defence Force on 2 March 2026, and the March measures also targeted four senior military commanders. In June, the US sanctioned Gasabo gold refinery and three mining companies accused of smuggling conflict minerals.

Washington’s demands and Rwanda’s response

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions hold Rwanda accountable for its Washington Accords commitments. He demanded that Rwanda halt support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DR Congo. Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi had called on 24 October for concrete sanctions and greater international pressure on Rwanda to secure lasting peace.

DR Congo’s foreign ministry welcomed the sanctions and urged Rwanda to honour its Washington Accords commitments, respect the UN Charter and withdraw its troops from Congolese territory.

Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told the BBC that commitments to neutralise the FDLR militia, which she accused DR Congo of sponsoring, remained wholly unmet. The FDLR is linked to perpetrators of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide; Rwanda regards its presence in eastern DR Congo as a security threat and cites it to justify its military posture. Makolo said Rwanda remained ready to implement the accords alongside DR Congo fulfilling its commitments and the mediator holding all parties accountable.

Treasury identifies a petition to OFAC as the route for seeking removal from its sanctions lists, with any removal subject to the law. For transactions that remain restricted, OFAC licences and applicable exemptions provide the stated routes for authorised dealings.