The United States has imposed sanctions on the Rwanda Defence Force and several top military officials, citing their involvement in the ongoing conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The U.S. Treasury Department stated that the gains made by the AFC/M23 rebel group, which now controls more territory than ever before, would not have been possible without Rwandan backing. The State Department added that Rwanda's support has facilitated "horrific human rights abuses." Rwanda has denied these allegations, calling the sanctions unjust and a misrepresentation of the conflict's reality, while asserting its commitment to disengagement contingent on the DRC fulfilling its obligations. Despite a peace deal signed in Washington in December, fighting persists, with recent accusations of a drone attack on Kisangani airport.