US sanctions DRC ex-President Kabila over M23 support

The United States has frozen assets and banned business dealings with former Democratic Republic of Congo president Joseph Kabila, accusing him of backing M23 rebels.

Thursday’s sanctions from the Treasury Department target Kabila for two specific actions, officials said. First, he allegedly gave money to the rebel group to shape events in eastern Congo. Second, he encouraged Congolese soldiers to abandon their posts and fight alongside the rebels.

Any US-based property belonging to Kabila is now frozen. Americans cannot legally transact with him.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent linked the move to President Trump’s broader Congo policy. “Those who continue to sow instability will be held accountable,” he said.

The M23 rebel group has seized Goma and Bukavu, two major cities in eastern Congo. A peace deal signed between Congo and Rwanda in Washington on December 4 has failed to stop the fighting. Local sources say fresh displacement happened this week.

Bessent said the Treasury would use “its full range of tools” to protect the Washington Accords.

Kabila led Congo from 2001 to 2019. He has lived in South Africa since 2023. Earlier this year, he appeared publicly in eastern Congo and said he wanted to return home to help resolve the crisis.

A Congolese military court has already sentenced Kabila to death in absentia for treason and war crimes.

SOURCE: AFP