The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions on Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, and Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, a senior figure in the M23 rebel group, citing their roles in the ongoing instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
In a significant move aimed at curbing the violence in eastern DRC, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced sanctions against Kabarebe and Kanyuka, accusing them of supporting and facilitating M23’s destabilizing activities.
Kabarebe, a former Rwandan general, is accused of orchestrating Rwanda’s military backing for M23, a rebel group linked to human rights abuses and the seizure of key mineral-rich territories. The group’s territorial advances have intensified the humanitarian crisis, leading to mass displacement and ongoing conflict.
Kanyuka, a spokesperson and high-ranking M23 official, was sanctioned for his role in spreading propaganda and securing international support for the group. His businesses, Kingston Fresh and Kingston Holding, were also targeted in the sanctions.
“These actions send a clear message that those responsible for fueling instability in the region will be held accountable,” said Bradley T. Smith, Acting Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence.
The sanctions freeze all U.S.-linked assets of the designated individuals and prohibit American entities from conducting business with them. The move comes amid growing international pressure on Rwanda to withdraw its alleged support for M23 and engage in peace efforts in the region.
With tensions escalating and diplomatic talks ongoing, the impact of these sanctions on regional stability remains to be seen.
