The United States has imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila Kabange, accusing him of undermining security in the country, particularly in the conflict-hit eastern region.
The announcement was made by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, which said the measures are part of efforts to hold accountable individuals allegedly contributing to instability in the region.
Washington accuses Kabila of supporting the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC/M23), a rebel coalition that has been fighting Congolese government forces (FARDC) for more than four years. The U.S. alleges that he provided financial and logistical support to the group, encouraged defections within the national army, and was involved in coordinating attacks against government forces from abroad.
U.S. authorities further claim that Kabila attempted to re-engage in the country’s political affairs through actions seen as destabilizing to the current leadership, contributing to continued insecurity in eastern DRC, where civilians have been repeatedly affected by armed violence.
The sanctions come amid heightened regional and international scrutiny of the ongoing conflict in eastern Congo, where clashes between armed groups and government forces have persisted for years.
The decision follows earlier actions taken within the DRC. In a controversial ruling last year, a military court in Kinshasa sentenced Kabila to death after convicting him of treason, participation in an armed movement aimed at toppling the government, and crimes against humanity.
The Congolese government has also previously frozen his assets and dissolved his political party, the Parti du Peuple pour la Reconstruction et la Démocratie (PPRD), which was a dominant political force during his presidency.
Joseph Kabila led the DRC from 2001 to 2019, taking over after the assassination of his father, Laurent-Désiré Kabila.
The U.S. sanctions mark a significant escalation of international pressure on the former president, with potential implications for the already fragile political and security situation in eastern DRC.
