The United States has vowed to impose visa restrictions on several Rwandan government officials responsible for instigating violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement issued on Friday, the U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, stated that the decision was necessary to discipline individuals supporting the M23 rebel group operating in eastern DRC.

“The Department of State will impose visa restrictions on several senior Rwandan officials for fueling instability in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). By continuing to support M23 and violating the Washington Accords, these individuals are driving violence and undermining the stability of the entire Great Lakes Region,” Mr Rubio said.

Emphasising the treaty’s importance, the U.S. Secretary of State said, “The United States expects all parties to the Washington Accords to fully implement their commitments, including the DRC immediately neutralizing the FDLR armed group and its associated groups and Rwanda withdrawing its troops and military equipment from the DRC.”

He noted that the immense economic potential of the Great Lakes region can only be realised by respecting the agreement’s terms and ensuring regional stability.

Mr Rubio, however, warned that individuals responsible for or complicit in obstructing sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region would face consequences for such misconduct.

“Individuals believed to be responsible for, complicit in, or directly or indirectly engaged in undermining or impeding a sustainable peace in the Great Lakes region will face consequences,” he stated.

Mr Rubio explained that the visa restriction policy was in accordance with Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, which authorised the Secretary of State to deny entry to individuals and family members whose entry “would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”