Germany announced on Tuesday that it will suspend new financial aid to Rwanda over the ongoing M23 rebel offensive in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which UN experts say is backed by Rwandan forces.
“Germany will further restrict bilateral cooperation with Rwanda,” the German Development Ministry said in a statement issued on Tuesday, March 4, 2025, adding that new financial commitments would be put on hold while existing development projects undergo review.
The ministry condemned the M23’s recent territorial gains, including the capture of key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, describing it as “a violation of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the DRC.”
Germany provides Rwanda with approximately 50 million euros ($53 million) annually in aid, focusing on economic development, vaccine production, and climate initiatives.
However, Berlin now joins other Western nations in taking action against Rwanda over the conflict.
The decision follows similar moves by Britain, which recently suspended most of its direct bilateral aid to Kigali, and Canada, which imposed sanctions on Rwanda over its alleged role in the crisis.
According to UN experts, thousands of Rwandan troops are supporting the M23, which has seized vast areas of the resource-rich eastern DRC with minimal resistance from Congolese forces.
The group’s rapid territorial gains have triggered a humanitarian crisis, forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.
Germany informed Rwanda of its decision ahead of the public announcement, the development ministry confirmed.
