Rwanda: Rwanda Hasn't Cut Diplomatic Relations With U.S. Over Military Sanctions, As Fake Statement Claims

What the report says

Africa Check, republished by AllAfrica, reports that a document circulating on Facebook falsely claimed Rwanda had cut diplomatic relations with the United States over sanctions tied to alleged support for M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. The purported statement, dated 29 November 2026 and said to come from Rwanda’s government spokesperson office, alleged that U.S. diplomatic staff would have to leave the country within 48 hours.

The fact-check says the claim is unsupported by official channels. It found no such announcement on Rwanda’s government communications platforms or the foreign ministry’s X account, and no credible media coverage confirming a break in relations. The article also notes that the date on the document is in the future, a detail that further undermines its authenticity.

The report places the hoax in the context of heightened Rwanda-U.S. tensions over the conflict in eastern DRC. According to the article, Washington announced sanctions on 28 October against Rwanda’s Ministry of Defence and a financial institution serving security services, saying Rwanda’s military had supplied weapons, training and logistical support to M23 and deployed troops alongside the group. Rwanda has denied involvement. Yolande Makolo, Rwanda’s government spokesperson, publicly labeled the circulating document as fake and urged people to disregard it.