Rwanda’s government on Friday expressed strong solidarity with a top official sanctioned by the United States over violence in eastern Congo, where Rwanda-backed rebels have captured two major cities in an armed conflict that now threatens the Congolese government.
The Rwandan government described the sanctions against Gen. James Kabarebe, the deputy minister of foreign affairs in charge of regional integration, as “unjustified and unfounded.” In response, the government issued a statement rejecting the move, emphasizing that such actions make “no contribution toward long-term security, peace, and stability for all the countries of the Great Lakes region.”
The government further stressed that securing the border with Congo remains “a matter of national security, and that is our only driver.”
The sanctions against Kabarebe mark a significant moment for Rwanda, which has for years largely avoided direct punitive action from the international community despite its alleged involvement in eastern Congo. The first indication of Washington’s shifting policy toward Rwanda emerged last year when the United States formally described M23 as a Rwanda-backed armed group and called on Rwandan authorities to remove their missile systems from Congolese territory.
The latest sanctions explicitly identify Rwanda as the primary force behind M23, whose fighters have openly declared their intent to overthrow Congolese President Félix Tshisekedi. The U.S. State Department stated that Kabarebe, a longtime military strategist and influential figure in Rwandan politics, serves as the key liaison between Rwanda and M23, overseeing the handling of revenue generated from the export of minerals sourced from Congo.
Kabarebe was sanctioned alongside Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, the official spokesperson for M23. Additionally, two companies linked to Kanyuka, registered in the United Kingdom and France, were also placed under sanctions.
The U.S. and the United Nations had previously sanctioned M23 years ago, recognizing the group’s role in destabilizing the region. In its latest statement, the U.S. State Department underscored the damage caused by M23’s activities, stating that its “aggression has undermined the territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.” Furthermore, the department emphasized that “with Rwanda’s support, [M23] has threatened, injured, killed, and displaced thousands of innocent civilians, cost the lives of three United Nations peacekeepers, and wounded several others.”
While Kabarebe is revered in Rwanda for his military achievements, he remains a deeply controversial figure in Congo. His long and storied career began with his rise through the ranks of Rwanda’s military establishment, eventually becoming chief of defense staff. He later served as Rwanda’s minister of defense and remains a close confidant of President Paul Kagame. Kabarebe played a pivotal role in the Rwandan Patriotic Army’s victory in 1994, which ended the genocide against the Tutsi minority and brought Kagame to power.
However, Kabarebe’s influence extends beyond Rwanda, making him a key player in the prolonged instability that has plagued eastern Congo for decades. After Rwanda-backed rebels led by Laurent-Désiré Kabila overthrew Mobutu Sese Seko in 1997, seizing power in Kinshasa, Kabarebe was appointed as the chief of staff of the Congolese army. His tenure was short-lived, as Kabila soon turned against Rwanda, dismissing Kabarebe in 1998 and triggering a devastating war that drew in multiple regional armies and resulted in the deadliest conflict since World War II.
Despite repeated denials from the Rwandan government, mounting evidence has pointed to its ongoing support for M23. Kagame himself has hinted at the legitimacy of M23’s cause, arguing that any resolution to the conflict must address security concerns stemming from the lawlessness in eastern Congo and the historical discrimination against Congolese Tutsis. Notably, M23’s top military commander, Sultani Makenga, is an ethnic Tutsi who was born in North Kivu province, the epicenter of the rebellion. The group resurfaced in 2021 after years of dormancy and has since waged an aggressive campaign to gain control over vast territories.
M23 is just one of more than 100 armed factions operating in eastern Congo, each vying for control over the region’s abundant mineral resources, which include gold, tin, and coltan—key materials in global supply chains for electronics and other industries. According to U.N. experts, Rwanda has deployed around 4,000 troops to bolster M23’s offensive, further escalating the crisis.
The rebels have made significant territorial gains in a rapid offensive, first capturing Goma, the economic hub of eastern Congo, last month before advancing to seize Bukavu, the second-largest city in the region, on Sunday. Their advances have placed additional pressure on the Congolese government, which is struggling to contain the growing insurgency.
Regional leaders have repeatedly called for diplomatic negotiations between M23 and the Congolese government. However, President Tshisekedi has remained firm in his refusal to engage in direct talks, characterizing M23 as a Rwandan proxy force operating under Kagame’s command.
Last year, a fragile ceasefire agreement was brokered between Congo and Rwanda under the mediation of Angola. The accord briefly halted hostilities but ultimately collapsed, leading to the resumption of conflict. The United States has since urged both sides to return to the negotiating table under the terms of the Angolan-brokered deal, emphasizing the need for a diplomatic resolution to prevent further escalation.
With tensions at an all-time high, the latest round of sanctions against Kabarebe and M23-linked entities represents a significant shift in international policy. As pressure mounts on Rwanda to disengage from the conflict, the future of the Great Lakes region remains uncertain, with the risk of further violence looming over an already volatile situation.
