Rwanda has strongly criticized the United Kingdom’s decision to impose diplomatic and financial sanctions, warning that such measures will diminish the chances of securing peace with the M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
In a statement released on Tuesday, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs accused the UK of “clearly choosing a side” in the ongoing conflict in eastern DRC, stating that the punitive actions do nothing to resolve the crisis or contribute to a sustainable political solution.
The UK announced that it would pause some bilateral financial aid to Rwanda, except for programs supporting the most vulnerable. Additionally, high-level diplomatic engagements with Rwanda will be scaled down, and trade promotion activities will be limited. Future defense training assistance will also be suspended.
UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who recently met with Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Felix Tshisekedi, reaffirmed Britain’s position that all Rwandan forces must withdraw from Congolese territory before any sanctions are reconsidered. The United Nations estimates that Rwanda has deployed several thousand troops in DRC, a claim Kigali denies.
The conflict, driven by M23 rebels who have seized key territories—including parts of Goma and Bukavu—has displaced over 500,000 people since January. Rwanda insists that its forces are only defending against security threats from the Congolese army and hostile militia groups.
Global Response Intensifies
The UK’s actions follow a similar move by the United States Department of the Treasury, which last week imposed sanctions on James Kabarebe, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, for allegedly supporting M23. The sanctions also targeted Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, a spokesperson for the Congo River Alliance, and two of his businesses based in the UK and France.
While the UK and US have called for a political solution, Rwanda remains firm in its stance that sanctions will not facilitate peace.
“We encourage DRC to engage with M23 as part of an inclusive dialogue,” a UK government spokesperson stated, adding that further measures could be introduced if hostilities continue.
