Rwandan government condemns sanctions, which also apply to Burma, Central African Republic, Sudan and Syria

The US has sanctioned Rwanda over of its alleged support for a Congolese rebel group that sends child soldiers into battle.

The decision to block US military aid was condemned by Rwandan officials but endorsed by the country’s political opposition for “bringing the Kigali regime to account”.

The Rwandan government has been accused by the UN of backing the M23 rebel group in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), a charge it denies.

The sanctions also apply to the Burma, Central African Republic, Sudan and Syria. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, said: “Under the Child Soldiers Prevention Act, we have just announced those countries that are being sanctioned under that act, and Rwanda is one of those countries.

“Our goal is to work with countries that have been listed to ensure that any involvement in child soldiers, any involvement in the recruitment of child soldiers, must stop. In this case, it was related to M23, and we will continue to have discussions with the Rwandan government on that issue.”

Marie Harf, a state department spokesperson, added that Rwanda was sanctioned because of its “support for the M23, a rebel group which continues to actively recruit and abduct children” and to threaten the stability of DRC.

Rwanda will not receive US international military education and training funds, which help train foreign militaries, nor US foreign military financing, which funds the sale of American military material and services, Harf explained.