The United States on Thursday imposed sweeping sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of undermining a fragile, U.S.-brokered peace accord between Congo and Rwanda by backing M23 rebels.
The Treasury Department said Kabila provided financial support to the Congo River Alliance, AFC, the political arm of the Rwanda-backed M23, and encouraged Congolese troops to defect to rebel ranks. The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets held by Kabila and bar Americans from doing business with him.
“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,” Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said.
“Treasury will continue to use its full range of tools to support the integrity of the Washington Accords.”
Peace Deal Under Strain
Congo and Rwanda signed a U.S.-mediated peace agreement in Washington in December meant to end decades of conflict in eastern Congo. The deal collapsed shortly after signing, with M23 seizing Goma and Bukavu early in 2025. Fighting continued this week, displacing thousands.
Representatives from both countries met again in Washington last month to revive the stalled process. The U.S. sanctioned Rwanda Defence Force officials last month over their role in eastern Congo and called for their withdrawal.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Thursday’s move “sends a clear message: we will hold accountable anyone who obstructs peace efforts in the DRC”.
Kabila’s Alleged Role
Kabila, who ruled from 2001 to 2019, is accused of working to regain influence by backing a candidate opposed to President Felix Tshisekedi. DRC Deputy Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani called him “the instigator, the initiator, the architect of the destabilization of Congo”.
Kabila has lived mostly in South Africa since 2023 but appeared in rebel-held Goma in May. He was sentenced to death in absentia last year by a Kinshasa military court for treason and war crimes, which he denies.
The U.S. said the sanctions also aim to enhance transparency in critical minerals supply chains, as eastern Congo holds vast reserves of cobalt and coltan.
