Written By | BK Mugizi
Those sanctioned are Maj. Gen. Vincent Nyakarundi, Maj. Gen. Ruki Karusisi, Gen. Mubarakh Muganga and Brig. Gen. Stanislas Gashugi.
Search
The United States Department of the Treasury on Tuesday announced sanctions against the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) as an institution and four of its most senior commanders, accusing them of backing armed operations in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Those sanctioned are Maj. Gen. Vincent Nyakarundi, Maj. Gen. Ruki Karusisi, Gen. Mubarakh Muganga and Brig. Gen. Stanislas Gashugi.
In a statement, the US government said the measures target individuals and entities it believes are responsible for destabilising eastern DRC, including alleged support for the M23 rebel group and cross-border military operations.
The sanctions were announced by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), which said the action was intended to hold accountable those it accuses of undermining peace efforts and contributing to violence, displacement and civilian suffering in eastern DRC.
Sanctioned Leutnant General Mubarak Muganga
Sanctioned Major. Gen, Nyakarundi
Washington’s move comes amid renewed fighting in key towns, including Goma, Bukavu and Uvira, and just days after Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi met in Washington and signed a peace agreement aimed at ending hostilities.
According to US officials, the sanctions are based on findings that elements of the RDF have supported M23 operations through troop deployments, logistics and military equipment, despite Kigali’s longstanding denials of direct involvement.
Under the sanctions, any assets the named officials may have under US jurisdiction are frozen, and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. The measures also signal increased diplomatic pressure on Kigali to withdraw any military presence and materiel from Congolese territory and to support a negotiated settlement.
However, in a statement issued on March 2, 2026, the Government of Rwanda, through the Office of the Government Spokesperson, rejected the accusations and described the sanctions as “one-sided.”
Sanctioned Brig. Gen Stanislas Gashugi 
Sanctioned Major Gen. Karusisi
Kigali said the measures “misrepresent the reality and distort the facts of the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.” It accused the DRC of violating ceasefire agreements and of working with foreign mercenaries and the FDLR militia.
Rwanda maintained that it is committed to the disengagement of its forces “in tandem with the DRC implementing its obligations” under the Washington accords and called for an “even-handed approach from all partners.”
The US sanctions mark one of the strongest public actions yet by Washington directly targeting Rwanda’s military leadership over the conflict, underscoring growing international concern about the humanitarian toll and the fragility of the latest peace process.
Torch Media Africa
