The United States imposed sanctions on Rwanda's defense ministry on Wednesday over its role in the fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, the Associated Press and BBC report.

The Treasury Department said the ministry sent thousands of troops into North and South Kivu provinces. It said they fight alongside M23 rebels and give them weapons, supplies and training. Treasury also said Rwanda brought in surface to air missiles and jamming gear, putting civilian flights at risk, the AP reports.

"Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

The US also sanctioned Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a Rwandan lender that serves the country's security forces. The BBC reports Washington accuses it of moving tens of millions of dollars for M23 and its political wing. The sanctions freeze any of their assets under US control.

Rwanda denies backing M23. In comments to the BBC, government spokesperson Yolande Makolo said Congo has not met its own promises to deal with the FDLR, a militia tied to the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. She said Rwanda is ready to carry out the peace deal if Congo does too.

Congo's foreign ministry welcomed the sanctions, the BBC reports, citing Reuters.

The move comes months after the presidents of Congo and Rwanda signed US-brokered peace accords in Washington in December 2025. Fighting has gone on despite the deal. M23 seized the cities of Goma and Bukavu in early 2025. The US sanctioned Rwanda's army and four of its commanders in March.

What we know: The US sanctioned Rwanda's defense ministry and a Rwandan lender over support for M23.
What we don't: Whether the sanctions will change Rwanda's actions in eastern Congo.