The Rwandan government has strongly condemned the U.S. Treasury’s decision to impose sanctions on Minister of State for Regional Integration, Gen. (Rtd) James Kabarebe, calling the move “unjustified and unfounded.”
In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs argued that sanctions would not resolve the long-standing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), asserting that if such measures were effective, peace would have been achieved in the region decades ago.
“If sanctions could resolve the conflict in eastern DRC, we would have had peace in the region decades ago.”
Rwandan Government Spokesperson @YolandeMakolo dismissed the sanctions imposed by the United States against Minister @KabarebeJames as unjustified and ineffective. pic.twitter.com/kj4G5v8hll
— KIGALI DAILY NEWS (@kigalidailynews) February 20, 2025
The statement highlighted ongoing conflict along Rwanda’s western border, where the government claims it faces threats from hostile forces, including the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), Burundian troops, and the FDLR militia, which Kigali describes as a genocidal group. The ministry also accused European mercenaries of playing a role in the unrest, noting that 300 of them had recently been granted passage through Rwanda to Romania.
Rwanda criticized what it described as the international community’s failure to take decisive action against insecurity and violence allegedly fueled by the Congolese government. It warned that such inaction has contributed to the escalation of fighting in eastern DRC.
Emphasizing national security as a priority, the Rwandan government stated that its main objective is to secure its borders and permanently end ethnic extremism-driven conflicts in the region. The statement asserted that Rwandans have a right to live in peace without facing insecurity originating from the DRC.
Kigali also denounced the use of punitive measures like sanctions, arguing that they do not contribute to long-term stability and could instead be seen as unwarranted external interference in African-led conflict resolution efforts.
The statement concluded by urging the international community to support and respect regional mediation initiatives, citing the recent EAC-SADC Summit and the African Union’s efforts as the only viable pathways to a negotiated resolution. Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to this diplomatic process.
The U.S. has yet to respond to Rwanda’s strong rejection of the sanctions, but the move is likely to further strain diplomatic relations between the two countries amid ongoing tensions in the Great Lakes region.
