Washington Imposes Sanctions on RDF, Four Top Generals
The United States of America has imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and four of its senior commanders, citing alleged violations of agreements signed with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Washington.
In a statement issued on Monday, March 2, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) said the measures target the RDF as an institution, along with Rwanda’s Chief of Defence Staff, Mubarakh Muganga; the Commander of Land Forces, Vincent Nyakarundi; the Commander of the 5th Division, Ruki Karusisi; and the Commander of the Special Operations Force, Brig Gen Stanislas Gashugi.
According to U.S. authorities, the sanctions were enacted after Rwanda was accused of failing to comply with commitments outlined in bilateral understandings intended to ease tensions and improve security in eastern Congo. The measures generally include asset freezes under U.S. jurisdiction and restrictions on financial transactions involving American individuals or institutions.
