U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday, March 6 that Washington would refuse to grant visas to several senior Rwandan officials, accused of supporting the antigovernment group M23 in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a region plagued by violence.
“Individuals considered responsible, accomplices, or directly or indirectly engaged in actions aimed at undermining or obstructing lasting peace in the Great Lakes region will face consequences,” said the U.S. Secretary of State.
“Several senior Rwandan officials” are targeted by these restrictions, according to Marco Rubio. Some members of their families could also be affected. The State Department did not provide further details, as visa records are considered confidential under U.S. law.
Since the end of 2021, the M23 (for “March 23 Movement”) has taken over vast areas in eastern DRC, rich in resources and ravaged by conflicts for over 30 years, with the support of Kigali and its army.
The United States had already announced sanctions on Monday against the Rwandan army for supporting M23 forces. Among the targeted officers is the army’s chief of staff, Vincent Nyakarundi.
The United States, along with the European Union, France, the United Kingdom, and Belgium, called on Thursday to “halt hostilities,” in a statement.
“There can be no military solution to this conflict,” they added, urging all parties to “end incitement to hatred, discrimination, or violence,” including against Rwandans living in DRC.
