The United States has announced sanctions against two individuals and two entities connected to violence and human rights abuses in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This measure targets Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, and Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, spokesperson for the M23 and the Congo River Alliance. Additionally, it includes sanctions on Kanyuka's companies, Kingston Fresh and Kingston Holding.
Since December 2024, the armed group M23, backed by Rwanda, has expanded its control over DRC territory. On January 27, they seized Goma, the North Kivu provincial capital, followed by Bukavu in South Kivu on February 16. The aggression undermines DRC's territorial integrity and poses a threat to regional stability. The conflict has resulted in thousands of civilian casualties and displacements and has claimed the lives of three UN peacekeepers.
The U.S. emphasizes the importance of Rwanda returning to negotiations under the Angola-led Luanda Process to resolve the conflict in eastern DRC. "We call on Rwanda to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the DRC," stated a representative from the United States. The U.S. also urges both Rwanda and DRC governments to hold accountable those responsible for human rights violations.
The Treasury Department's actions are taken pursuant to Executive Order 13413 as amended by Executive Order 13671. Further details can be found in Treasury’s press release.