DR Congo: Trump Administration Sanctions Kabila Over Rebel Links

By Ajong Mbapndah L

WASHINGTON — The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of the Congo president Joseph Kabila, accusing him of supporting armed groups fueling instability in the country’s conflict-hit east, as Donald Trump’s administration intensifies efforts to shore up a fragile regional peace deal.

The U.S. Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control said Kabila provided financial and political backing to the March 23 Movement and its allied coalition, groups Washington says have driven violence, territorial seizures and mass displacement in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. “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.

The measures freeze any U.S.-linked assets tied to Kabila and bar transactions with American individuals and institutions, while also exposing non-U.S. actors to potential penalties if they engage in dealings involving designated entities. The move comes as eastern Congo faces renewed fighting, with M23 fighters seizing territory including key provincial capitals, deepening what U.S. officials described as a crisis that has killed thousands and displaced large populations.

Treasury outlined a detailed case, describing Kabila as a political actor working to influence developments in eastern Congo. According to the statement, he provided financial support to the rebel coalition and sought to shape the political landscape by backing opposition figures aligned against the government. He is also accused of encouraging defections from the Armed Forces of the DRC and attempting to coordinate attacks against government forces from outside the country, though at least one such effort was unsuccessful. Kabila returned to Congo in 2025 and has lived in Goma under the protection of M23, Treasury said, underscoring what U.S. officials describe as direct links between the former leader and armed groups. M23 operates as the military wing of a broader political-military coalition seeking to overthrow the government in Kinshasa, Treasury added.

Eastern Congo remains a flashpoint, with the resurgence of M23 significantly escalating the crisis. The group has captured large areas, including major urban centers such as Goma and Bukavu, intensifying humanitarian suffering. The United States and United Nations have accused Rwanda of providing military, financial and logistical support to M23, allegations Kigali denies. Treasury said the violence has resulted in “the deaths of thousands of civilians and a mass displacement crisis.” The conflict has also triggered the mobilization of rival militias, further fragmenting the security landscape.

The sanctions come amid a deepening rupture between Kabila and his successor, Felix Tshisekedi. Once bound by a fragile post-election arrangement after the disputed 2018 vote, the two leaders have since become rivals. Tshisekedi has moved to dismantle Kabila’s political network, while accusing figures linked to the former president of undermining the state. U.S. officials now frame Kabila’s alleged actions as a direct threat to stability and governance.

The measures are tied to the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, a U.S.-brokered agreement signed in December 2025 by Felix Tshisekedi and Paul Kagame. The deal aims to reduce cross-border tensions, halt support for armed groups and advance economic integration, including improving transparency in critical mineral supply chains. Treasury said the sanctions are intended to “support the integrity of the Washington Accords” and deter actors undermining the agreement.

The action builds on diplomatic efforts last year by the Trump administration to de-escalate tensions between Kinshasa and Kigali. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held meetings with foreign ministers from both countries, urging restraint and backing a negotiated settlement. Trump also hosted Tshisekedi and Kagame at the White House in 2025 in a bid to maintain momentum toward peace and confidence-building measures. Those efforts culminated in the Washington Accords, which U.S. officials continue to frame as central to a long-term strategy for stability.

Eastern Congo is central to global supplies of cobalt, coltan and other critical minerals used in electric vehicles and advanced technologies. The U.S.-backed framework seeks to link peace efforts to economic incentives, encouraging investment and transparency while reducing illicit financing networks tied to armed groups.

Treasury said sanctions are intended to change behavior rather than punish. “The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior,” the department said. The designation of a former president signals a significant escalation, highlighting Washington’s willingness to target senior political figures.

Despite diplomatic progress, fighting continues across eastern Congo, with multiple armed groups active and mistrust between Kinshasa and Kigali persisting. U.S. officials say sustaining momentum behind the Washington Accords will require continued pressure, diplomacy and enforcement. The move against Kabila reflects that approach — combining political leverage with economic tools in an effort to shift the dynamics of a conflict that has endured for decades.