NAIROBI, Kenya — On Thursday, the U.S. government imposed sanctions on a Rwandan government minister due to his alleged involvement in the ongoing conflict in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo. This conflict has escalated as Rwandan-backed rebels intensify their confrontation with the Congolese army, having already taken control of significant territories, including two major urban centers.
The sanctions specifically targeted James Kabarebe, the Rwandan minister for regional integration, along with Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, a spokesperson for the M23 rebel group. Additionally, two companies associated with Kanyuka and based in the United Kingdom and France were also hit with sanctions.
The M23 rebels stand out among the many armed factions—over 100 in total—competing for dominance in eastern Congo, which is rich in mineral resources valued in trillions of dollars. Following prolonged periods of conflict, the group’s rapid territorial gains were evident as they seized the main city of Goma in an extraordinary three-week campaign. They further captured Bukavu, the second-largest city in the region, just this past Sunday.
The United States has urged Rwandan leadership to cease support for the M23 faction and to retreat all Rwandan military personnel from Congolese territory. According to U.N. officials, approximately 4,000 troops from Rwanda are currently stationed in Congo.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, Tammy Bruce, stated that both the governments of Congo and Rwanda should be held accountable for the human rights violations that have occurred during the conflict.
The U.S. government’s announcement revealed that Kabarebe, who is also a retired military officer, had been involved in coordinating with the M23 rebels and was responsible for managing the revenue and mineral exports acquired by these Rwandan-backed insurgents in eastern Congo.
Bradley T. Smith, acting undersecretary of the Treasury, emphasized that the recent measures are a demonstration of the U.S. commitment to hold key figures accountable, referring specifically to officials like Kabarebe and Kanyuka.
Since the onset of the M23’s offensive against Goma on January 26, official reports indicate that the conflict has resulted in over 700 fatalities and nearly 3,000 injuries in and around the city.
