US President Donald Trump has moved to terminate Rwanda’s eligibility for duty-free access to the American market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act over the eastern DRC conflict and other concerns.
In a letter dated October 28, addressed to President Paul Kagame, Trump gave Rwanda 60 days’ notice of his intention to withdraw the country from the trade preference programme, with the termination scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The move is yet another escalation of Washington’s confrontation with President Kagame, following recent Treasury sanctions on the Ministry of Defence and a financial institution over the conflict in eastern Congo.
The decision comes as Washington steps up pressure on Kigali over allegations that it continues to provide military, logistical and financial support to the March 23 Movement (M23) rebels.
Trump also said Rwanda had failed to demonstrate sufficient progress towards democratic governance, protection of human rights, respect for the rule of law and removal of barriers to American trade and investment, conditions required under AGOA.
He also accused Kagame’s government of undermining regional stability through its involvement in the Congolese conflict.
“In particular, Rwanda continues to provide military, logistical, and material support to the March 23 Movement (M23), including the deployment of Rwandan forces on Congolese territory, which has contributed to the destabilization of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Trump wrote.
He further accused networks operating in Rwanda of facilitating the exploitation and illicit trafficking of critical minerals originating from conflict-affected areas of eastern Congo. This, he said, threatens American economic and strategic interests.
Trump also raises concerns over restrictions on political freedoms in Rwanda, including the repression of opposition leaders, intimidation of independent journalists and civil society organisations, and the absence of a genuinely competitive political environment.
“It is my hope that your government will take the necessary steps to address these issues and demonstrate a genuine commitment to peace, democracy, and respect for the sovereignty of its neighbours,” he wrote.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Monday said Trump had notified Congress and the governments of Rwanda and South Africa of his intention to terminate their AGOA beneficiary status from January 1, 2027.
Greer said an annual review had found that both countries were engaging in practices inconsistent with the programme’s eligibility requirements.
Regarding Rwanda, Washington cited concerns relating to trade and investment barriers, the rule of law, political pluralism, internationally recognised workers’ rights, human rights and threats to US national security and foreign policy interests.
The decision marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to compel Kigali to honour commitments under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity. Thhe deal was signed by Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi in Washington on December 4, 2025 and witnessed by President William Ruto.
The agreement, brokered by Trump, was intended to end the conflict in eastern DRC and establish a framework for regional economic cooperation, including investment and transparent critical minerals supply chains.
However, fighting has continued, with M23 retaining control of strategic territories and mining areas in eastern Congo.
Last week, Washington imposed fresh sanctions on Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and Zigama Credit and Savings Society, a financial institution linked to Rwanda’s security services.
The US accused them of facilitating support for M23 and its political wing, the Congo River Alliance.
The US Treasury Department said thousands of Rwandan troops had been deployed in North and South Kivu provinces, where they operate alongside M23 fighters and provide the group with weapons, equipment, logistics and training.
It also accused Rwandan forces of introducing advanced weaponry, including surface-to-air missile systems and electronic jamming equipment, into the conflict.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the sanctions were intended to hold Rwanda accountable for its commitments under the Washington Accords.
“Rwanda must halt its support for M23 and withdraw its troops from eastern DRC,” Bessent said.
Earlier in March, more sanctions had been issued against the Rwanda Defence Force and four senior military officials over alleged involvement in the conflict.
Kigali has consistently denied supporting armed groups in eastern Congo, arguing that its security concerns stem from the presence of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Hutu armed group operating in eastern DRC.
Rwanda maintains that the Congolese government has failed to meet its obligations to neutralise the FDLR under the Washington agreement.
However, Rwanda had already lost AGOA duty-free benefits for its apparel exports in 2018 after a dispute over Kigali’s restrictions on imports of second-hand clothing.
Other exports, including coffee, tea and minerals, continued to benefit from preferential access.
According to the US Trade Representative, bilateral trade in goods and services between the two countries totalled an estimated $333.4 million in 2025.
