Rwanda: US Sanctions Defense Ministry over Alleged Support for M23

On October 28, Washington announced sanctions against Rwanda’s Ministry of Defense and Zigama Credit and Savings Society over alleged support for the M23 in the conflict with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. US authorities accuse the ministry of helping deploy Rwandan soldiers to North and South Kivu and of providing the rebels with weapons, training and logistical support. According to the US Treasury, Zigama allegedly facilitated payments for military equipment and the transport to Rwanda of gold from M23-controlled areas in eastern Congo. The sanctions block assets under US jurisdiction and generally prohibit transactions involving the targeted entities by US persons.