The US on Monday announced sanctions on Rwanda's military and senior military officials for supporting the rebel March 23 Movement in eastern Democratic Republic ‌of Congo (DRC).

The DRC government expressed its "deep appreciation" of the US, calling the sanctions "a clear signal of support" for the respect of its "sovereignty and territorial integrity."

The latest sanctions come after a US-brokered peace agreement was signed in December by Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi and Rwandan President Paul Kagame in Washington, alongside US President Donald Trump.

At the time, Trump praised the leaders, as the deal allowed the US to have more access to the region's critical mineral reserves.

What did the US say?

The US accused the Rwandan military of violating the peace agreement in the mineral-rich DRC and called for its withdrawal from the region.

The US has alleged that the M23 would have had a stronghold in the region without the active support of the Rwandan government and key senior officials.

"We expect the immediate withdrawal of Rwanda Defence Force troops, weapons and equipment," US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.

"M23, a US- and UN-sanctioned entity, is responsible for horrific human rights abuses, including summary executions and violence against civilians, including women and children," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said in a statement.

The top military officials facing the sanctions are Vincent Nyakarundi, the RDF's army chief of staff; Ruki Karusisi, a major general; Mubarakh Muganga, chief of defense staff; and Stanislas Gashugi, special operations force commander.

What did Rwanda say?

Rwanda has repeatedly rejected all allegations from Congo, the UN and Western states of supporting the AFC/M23 rebel group, which has been under US sanctions since 2013.

The sanctions "unjustly" target Rwanda and "misrepresent the reality and distort the facts of the conflict" in eastern Congo, a Rwandan spokesperson said in a statement on Monday, alleging that Congo violated the agreement by conducting "indiscriminate" drone attacks and ground offensives.

The Congolese government and M23 are negotiating the terms for a peace deal, mediated by Qatar and the US.

Edited by: Elizabeth Schumacher