On February 20, 2025, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the imposition of sanctions on two key figures implicated in the ongoing conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC): James Kabarebe, Rwanda’s Minister of State for Regional Integration, and Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston, a senior member and spokesperson for the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group.
Background
The eastern DRC has been affected by armed conflict for decades, with many rebel groups aiming for control over territories rich in natural resources. The M23, predominantly composed of ethnic Tutsis, first emerged in 2012, citing grievances over the implementation of a former peace agreement. Despite a brief defeat in 2013, the group resurfaced in late 2021, intensifying hostilities in the region.
Sanctions
James Kabarebe
James Kabarebe, a former general of the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF), has been a central figure in Rwanda’s political and military spheres for over three decades. As the current Minister of State for Regional Integration, Kabarebe has been identified as a crucial liaison between the Rwandan government and the M23. OFAC’s designation accuses him of orchestrating RDF’s support for the M23, facilitating the group’s military operations in the DRC. Moreover, Kabarebe is accused to oversee the extraction and illicit export of minerals from the DRC, generating revenue streams that fuel the conflict.
Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston
Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston serves as the civilian spokesperson for both the M23 and the Congo River Alliance, a coalition of rebel groups aiming to overthrow the DRC government. In his role, Kanyuka manages the groups’ public relations and diplomatic outreach. Apart from his militant activities, he owns and directs two companies: Kingston Fresh, a UK-registered food services company, and Kingston Holding, a French-based mining consultancy. These enterprises are believed to be conduits for laundering funds and supporting the logistical needs of the rebel factions.
Implications of the Sanctions
The sanctions involve the freezing of all assets and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities within U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them. This move aims to disrupt the financial networks sustaining the M23 and deter external support that amplifies the conflict.
International Reactions
The Rwandan government has dismissed the U.S. sanctions as “unjustified and unfounded.” The ministry emphasized that lasting peace and stability in the Great Lakes region require cooperative efforts rather than external involvement.
Germany has expressed concern over the escalating violence in eastern DRC. The ministry called for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from the region and advocated for renewed diplomatic engagements with reference to the crisis.
Humanitarian Impact
The regeneration of M23 activities has poured a severe humanitarian crisis. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) reported a humungous influx of refugees into neighboring Burundi, with approximately 30,000 individuals crossing the border to escape the violence. The rapid displacement has overwhelmed local resources and prompted urgent calls for international help.
In the captured city of Bukavu, reports have emerged of summary executions, including those of children, perpetrated by M23 fighters. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has condemned these atrocities, highlighting the recruitment of child soldiers and the execution of sexual violence. The OHCHR has called on all parties to adhere to international humanitarian laws and defend civilian lives.
The situation in the eastern DRC remains fluid, with ongoing military engagements and a depreciating humanitarian landscape. The international community continues to monitor developments closely, advocating for cooperative solutions that address the root causes of the disharmony and pave the way for sustainable peace in the zone.
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