US sanctions former DR Congo president Joseph Kabila over alleged links to M23

Edited By: Aya Selene

The United States has imposed sanctions on former Joseph Kabila, accusing him of contributing to instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through alleged support for the M23 rebel group, according to an official source cited on Thursday.

Kabila, who led the country from 2001 to 2019, has been added to the sanctions list maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), effectively placing him under U.S. economic restrictions.

Washington accuses the former president of playing a role in fueling unrest in eastern Congo, a region long plagued by armed conflict involving multiple groups, including the M23 movement.

The sanctions are part of broader efforts by the United States to address ongoing insecurity in the region and to target individuals suspected of supporting armed groups or undermining stability.