The United States has imposed sweeping sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of providing material support to the M23 rebel group that has been wreaking havoc in eastern Congo for years.
The Treasury Department announced the measures on Thursday, saying Kabila traveled to Goma in 2025 where he has lived under the protection of M23 forces. The sanctions freeze any assets Kabila may hold in the United States and prohibit American individuals or entities from engaging in financial transactions with him.
The Treasury statement said Kabila’s support to M23 and the AFC (Alternative Force) has contributed to the ongoing instability and humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC.
M23 rebels have controlled large swaths of North Kivu province for months, displacing hundreds of thousands and exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. The group, largely comprised of ethnic Tutsi fighters, briefly captured the provincial capital Goma in late 2024 before being pushed back but remains a potent fighting force.
Kabila ruled the DRC from 2001 to 2019, a period marked by persistent conflict in the mineral-rich east. He has consistently denied supporting armed groups since leaving office.
The sanctions represent a significant escalation in Washington’s approach to the Congo conflict, extending pressure beyond rebel commanders to include former government figures. Analysts say the move could complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts to bring the M23 insurgency to an end.
The African Union and East African regional bloc have been pushing for dialogue between the Congolese government and M23, but recent military setbacks have weakened the rebels’ willingness to negotiate.
Humanitarian organizations warn that the sanctions could further restrict aid flows into the region, though the Treasury measures include humanitarian exemptions designed to prevent disruptions to already strained relief operations.
The DRC has been locked in conflict with M23 rebels since late 2021, with the violence killing thousands and displacing more than two million people in North Kivu province alone.