Washington / Kinshasa — The United States has imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of backing the Rwanda-linked M23 rebel group and contributing to instability in eastern Congo.
According to the U.S. Treasury and State Departments, Kabila provided financial and political support to the M23 and its allied Congo River Alliance, a rebel coalition accused of fueling violence and mass displacement in the region.
Officials also allege that Kabila encouraged Congolese soldiers to defect and join the rebel movement, further escalating the conflict in the country’s eastern provinces.
“The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila for his support of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and for fueling political instability in Congo’s troubled east,” officials said in a statement.
The M23 armed group, which UN and multiple reports say is backed by Rwanda, has seized and held key cities including Goma and Bukavu in recent offensives.
Under the sanctions, any of Kabila’s assets within U.S. jurisdiction are frozen, and American individuals and companies are prohibited from conducting transactions with him.
Washington said the measures are part of broader efforts to support a fragile peace process aimed at stabilising eastern DRC, where conflict has persisted for decades despite multiple international mediation attempts.
Kabila, who ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, has previously denied allegations of supporting armed groups, arguing that accusations against him are politically motivated.
The sanctions mark one of the strongest U.S. actions yet against a former Congolese head of state, underscoring growing international pressure on actors accused of prolonging the conflict in the mineral-rich eastern region.
