The United States indicated Wednesday that it was ready to lift sanctions against Rwanda if Kigali cuts all ties with Congolese M23 rebels. Washington has distanced itself from its ally Rwanda since July 2012 by freezing its modest $200,000 military aid and imposed sanctions in a bid to urge President Paul Kagame's regime to end its support of the mainly Tutsi rebels of M23, who surrendered Tuesday. Last month, Washington imposed sanctions on Kigali for its alleged backing of the Congolese rebels who recruit child soldiers into their ranks. The United Nations, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the United States all accuse Rwanda of providing military support to the rebels. "If it turns out that Rwanda is no longer involved in such activities, if it turns out that their role here has been a positive one ... then we will certainly review whether it is appropriate to continue these sanctions," U.S. Special Envoy for the Great Lakes Russ Feingold told a telephone conference.
