Rwanda on Tuesday criticized the UK’s decision to impose sanctions over its alleged support for M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, calling the measures “regrettable.”
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced actions including suspending direct financial aid—except for programs benefiting the poorest Rwandans—halting high-level government engagement, and freezing defense cooperation with Rwanda.
In response, Rwanda’s Foreign Ministry rejected the move, stating that the sanctions “do nothing to help the Democratic Republic of Congo” and fail to promote a lasting political resolution to the crisis. The statement also accused the UK of taking sides in the conflict, arguing that it is unreasonable to expect Rwanda to compromise its national security. The UK’s measures follow recent US sanctions against Rwandan Minister of State for Regional Integration, James Kabarebe, for allegedly coordinating support for the M23 rebels.
The M23 group has expanded its control in eastern Congo, seizing key provincial capitals like Goma and Bukavu. The ongoing conflict has resulted in the deaths of over 7,000 people this year, according to Congo’s Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka, who addressed the UN Human Rights Council on Monday.
