The United States has announced visa restrictions on senior Rwandan officials over their alleged role in fueling instability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The announcement comes just three days after the United States imposed sanctions also on Rwanda’s military and four senior officials for what it described as “direct operational support” to the M23 rebel group, which has seized large areas in North and South Kivu provinces in eastern DRC.
“By continuing to support M23 and violating the Washington Accords, these individuals are driving violence and undermining the stability of the entire Great Lakes region,” the statement said.
ALSO READ: US Sanctions Rwanda’s Military Over M23 Support
Washington called on all parties involved in the conflict to fully implement their commitments under the Washington Accords.
According to the US State Department, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is expected to neutralize the FDLR armed group and its associated militias, while Rwanda is required to withdraw its troops and military equipment from Congolese territory.
“Only then will the immense economic potential of the Great Lakes region be realized,” the statement added. “Individuals believed to be responsible for, complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in undermining or impeding sustainable peace in the region will face consequences.”
Earlier sanctions announced by the United States named four senior members of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF): Vincent Nyakarundi, the army chief of staff; Major-General Ruki Karusisi; Mubarakh Muganga, chief of defence staff; and Stanislas Gashugi, commander of the special operations force. However, the latest statement announcing visa restrictions did not identify the officials affected.
The Kigali regime rejected the sanctions, describing them as “unfair and one-sided.”
In a statement, Kigali rejected the statement as “targeting only one party” to the Washington Accords and a misrepresentation of the conflict in eastern DR Congo.
“Protecting our country is a badge of honour which the Rwanda Defence Force carries very proudly,” the statement said.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has long accused Rwanda of supporting the M23 rebel group and its affiliated Congo River Alliance (AFC), allegations Kigali strongly denies.
ALSO READ: Patrick Muyaya Speaks on FDLR, Rwanda Security, and Mineral War
Rwanda, in turn, accuses Kinshasa of collaborating with and failing to neutralize the FDLR, a militia formed by remnants of those responsible for the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Kigali maintains that the continued presence of the FDLR, allegedly supported logistically and militarily by the Congolese Armed Forces (FARDC), poses an existential threat to Rwanda’s security.