NAIROBI, Kenya — The Rwandan government expressed its support on Friday for a high-ranking official facing sanctions from the United States due to escalating violence in eastern Congo. Rwandan-backed rebel groups have recently taken control of two significant cities in this ongoing conflict, leading to increased tensions that pose a challenge to the stability of the Congolese government.
Rwanda condemned the sanctions imposed on Gen. James Kabarebe, who serves as the deputy minister of foreign affairs, calling them “unjustified and unfounded.” In their response, Rwandan officials stated that such measures are counterproductive and do not contribute to long-lasting peace and security for the broader Great Lakes region.
The Rwandan government emphasized that the need to secure its border with Congo remains a crucial issue of national security, asserting that this is their primary motivation in the ongoing conflict.
These sanctions mark a notable shift for Rwanda, which has largely avoided significant repercussions from the international community for its actions in Congo over the years. The evolution of U.S. policy towards Rwanda started becoming apparent last year when the U.S. identified the M23 rebel group as being backed by Rwanda and urged the Rwandan government to withdraw missile systems from Congolese land.
The recent sanctions particularly highlight Rwanda’s role as the driving force behind M23, whose fighters have openly stated their intentions to overthrow Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. The U.S. State Department indicated that Kabarebe, in his official capacity as the minister of state for regional integration, is significantly involved with M23 in managing revenue from mineral exports originating in Congo.
In addition to Kabarebe, Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, the spokesperson for M23, was also sanctioned, along with two companies associated with him that are registered in the UK and France. The U.S. and U.N. have previously imposed sanctions on the M23 group. The State Department emphasized that M23’s actions have jeopardized the territorial integrity of Congo, resulting in the displacement, injury, and death of thousands of civilians, alongside the loss of three U.N. peacekeepers’ lives.
Kabarebe is a controversial figure, being both celebrated in Rwanda and disliked in Congo. Having retired from his role as chief of defense staff, he has had a storied career, including serving as a former minister of defense and being a trusted ally of President Paul Kagame. His involvement traces back to the Rwandan civil war when he supported Kagame’s forces in seizing the capital to end the 1994 genocide against Tutsis.
However, Kabarebe’s actions in the following years, particularly during the overthrow of dictator Mobutu Sese Seko by Rwanda-backed rebels, added to the long-standing instability in eastern Congo. His tenure as army chief of staff was cut short when he was dismissed by Laurent-Désiré Kabila in 1998, which triggered a devastating war that resulted in the highest death toll since World War II as various nations fought for control.
Despite consistent denials of support for M23 from the Rwandan government, Kagame has indicated that backing for the rebels is warranted. He argues that addressing security issues linked to the chaos in eastern Congo, as well as ongoing discrimination against Congolese Tutsis, is essential for peace. Notably, M23’s military leader, Sultani Makenga, is an ethnic Tutsi from North Kivu province, where the group has re-emerged after a period of relative peace.
M23 is among the over 100 armed factions contesting eastern Congo’s vast mineral wealth. Reports from U.N. experts suggest that approximately 4,000 Rwandan troops are currently supporting M23 in their operations.
The rebels have displayed remarkable speed in their military campaign, taking the key eastern city of Goma in the previous month, followed by the capture of Bukavu, the second-largest city in the region, just days ago.
Regional leaders have called for negotiations between M23 and the Congolese government. However, President Tshisekedi has previously dismissed the idea of dialogue, labeling the rebels as a mere proxy force for Rwanda. A brief ceasefire deal was established last year under Angolan mediation, and there are renewed calls from the U.S. for the conflicting parties to return to the negotiating table.
