The Rwandan government has condemned the US decision to sanction a government minister for his alleged role in the conflict in the east of neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo.
Announcing the financial sanctions on Thursday, the US Treasury Department said Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration James Kabarebe, a former army chief, was central to his country’s support for the M23 rebel group.
Also sanctioned was Lawrence Kanyuka, the M23’s spokesman, as well as two companies he controls in Britain and France, the US Treasury said.
On Friday, the UK said there would be “consequences” for Rwanda over its alleged role in DR Congo.
Responding to the US move, Rwanda’s foreign ministry said the sanctions would not resolve the conflict in the DR Congo, terming them “unjustified and unfounded”.
They come as the M23 appears to be continuing its advance after capturing two major cities in recent weeks in the mineral-rich east of DR Congo.
The rebel group, mainly comprised of ethnic Tutsis, has seized the cities of Goma and Bukavu – sparking a major humanitarian crisis that left families devastated.
