The US has sanctioned former DR Congo President Joseph Kabila for supporting rebels.
On April 30, both the United States Department of State and the Department of the Treasury announced they had imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo leader Joseph Kabila, accusing him of backing armed groups responsible for prolonged violence in the country’s eastern region.
In a strongly worded statement, Thomas Pigott, spokesperson for the Department of State, said Washington was acting to counter instability in the region.
“Today, the United States is addressing threats to stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by sanctioning former DRC President Joseph Kabila for providing material support to armed groups destabilizing the eastern DRC,” said Piggot.
“With financial and political support from Kabila, these groups are the principal drivers of violence and instability in the region.”
The U.S. government emphasized its broader diplomatic stance, with Pigott noting that the United States “stands with the Congolese people and calls on all regional leaders to reject those who perpetuate violence and instability. Today’s action sends a clear message: we will hold accountable anyone who obstructs peace efforts in the DRC.”
He further stressed Washington’s commitment to ongoing peace initiatives,
“The Trump Administration is firmly committed to ensuring all parties uphold their commitments under the historic Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and Doha Framework and will use all available tools to advance lasting stability in the region,” he noted.
Separately, the U.S. Department of the Treasury detailed the sanctions, linking Kabila to specific rebel movements, including the March 23 Movement and the Congo River Alliance.
According to the Treasury, these groups “have fueled political instability and violent conflict in eastern DRC, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and a mass displacement crisis.”
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reinforced the administration’s position, saying that President Trump was “paving the way for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and he has been clear that those who continue to sow instability will be held accountable.”
Bessent added that Treasury “will continue to use its full range of tools to support the integrity of the Washington Accords.”
The sanctions come amid escalating conflict in eastern DRC, where M23 rebels have seized large territories, including key cities such as Goma and Bukavu, while operating as part of a broader coalition seeking political change in Kinshasa.
The U.S. government alleges that Kabila has played an active role in this instability. Officials say he “has provided financial support to the AFC in order to influence the political situation in eastern DRC” and “encouraged Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) troops to defect and join AFC forces.”
They further claim that he “sought to launch attacks from outside DRC on FARDC in eastern DRC,” though those efforts were unsuccessful.
Under the sanctions, all property and interests linked to Kabila within U.S. jurisdiction are blocked. American individuals and entities are also prohibited from engaging in transactions involving him or any entities he controls.
The Treasury warned that “violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons,” adding that even non-U.S. actors could face consequences for facilitating prohibited dealings.
Officials emphasized that the objective of the measures is behavioral change rather than punishment. “The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior,” the Treasury said.
The move marks a significant escalation in international pressure on actors accused of fueling conflict in eastern Congo, as Washington pushes for compliance with regional peace frameworks and an end to one of Africa’s most protracted crises.
STATEMENT BY THOMAS PIGOTT, SPOKESPERSON FOR DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Today, the United States is addressing threats to stability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) by sanctioning former DRC President Joseph Kabila for providing material support to armed groups destabilizing the eastern DRC. With financial and political support from Kabila, these groups are the principal drivers of violence and instability in the region.
The United States stands with the Congolese people and calls on all regional leaders to reject those who perpetuate violence and instability. Today’s action sends a clear message: we will hold accountable anyone who obstructs peace efforts in the DRC.
The Trump Administration is firmly committed to ensuring all parties uphold their commitments under the historic Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and Doha Framework and will use all available tools to advance lasting stability in the region. The United States will continue to support diplomatic solutions that end the suffering of civilians in eastern DRC and create conditions for durable peace and prosperity across the region.
Today’s action is being taken pursuant to the authorities under Executive Order (E.O.) 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, M23 and AFC.
STATEMENT BY DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabange Kabila (Kabila) for his role in supporting the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congo River Alliance (Alliance Fleuve Congo, AFC). M23 is a Rwanda-backed armed group in eastern DRC, and AFC acts as M23’s political-military coalition, which seeks to topple the government of the DRC. M23 and AFC have fueled political instability and violent conflict in eastern DRC, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and a mass displacement crisis.
“President Trump is paving the way for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and he has been clear that those who continue to sow instability will be held accountable,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Treasury will continue to use its full range of tools to support the integrity of the Washington Accords.”
This action supports the historic U.S.-brokered Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity signed by the DRC and Rwandan heads of state on December 4, 2025, and their associated commitment to advance a Regional Economic Integration Framework that expands trade and investment, enhances transparency in critical minerals supply chains, and paves the way for greater investment in the region.
ROADBLOCKS TO PEACE IN EASTERN DRC
M23, a U.S.- and United Nations-designated armed group, has captured large portions of territory in eastern DRC, including the capitals of North and South Kivu provinces, Goma and Bukavu, with direct military, financial, and logistical support from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), which OFAC sanctioned on March 2, 2026. In response to M23’s offensives, several competing armed groups have mobilized and engaged in destabilizing activities in the DRC.
M23 operates as the armed wing of the U.S.-designated AFC, a political-military coalition of rebels seeking regime change in Kinshasa, DRC. The leader of the AFC, Corneille Nangaa, was originally sanctioned by OFAC in 2019 for his role in delaying the 2016 DRC elections as President of the National Independent Electoral Commission during Kabila’s presidency. Nangaa has promoted AFC’s goal of mobilizing armed groups, establishing rebel control of DRC territory, and overthrowing the DRC government in collaboration with M23; OFAC designated Nangaa again in July 2024 for being a leader of AFC.
Joseph Kabila served as President of the DRC from 2001 until 2019. Although his second term was scheduled to conclude in 2016, he extended his time in office for more than two years by unconstitutionally delaying elections. In 2025, he traveled to Goma, DRC, where he has lived under the protection of M23.
KABILA’s SUPPORT TO M23 and AFC
With the advent of AFC and M23’s renewed rebellion, Kabila has returned to the DRC with the intent to destabilize the DRC government through his support to M23 and AFC.
Kabila has provided financial support to the AFC in order to influence the political situation in eastern DRC. Kabila has encouraged Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) troops to defect and join AFC forces in eastern DRC in order to generate additional support for AFC. Additionally, Kabila sought to launch attacks from outside DRC on FARDC in eastern DRC, but his effort was unsuccessful. Kabila has also worked to put in place a candidate opposed to the current President of the DRC with the intent to regain influence over the DRC government.
OFAC designated Kabila pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, M23 and AFC.
SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked person described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons.
Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC’s enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions. Individuals located in the U.S. or abroad who provide information about sanctions violations to Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network whistleblower incentive program may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000.
The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.
The US recently sanctioned top Rwandan government and military officials, prompting President Paul Kagame to react on Rwanda’s impossible choice. (See Details Here, There and Over There).
Weeks ago, tensions between DR Congo and Rwanda escalated after a scuffle between Rwandans and Congolese at a hotel occupied by DR Congo first lady in Washington DC, as reported Here.
Relatedly, Uganda’s Andrew Mwenda was accused of working with M23 rebels, as reported Here.
