Treasury Sanctions Former Democratic Republic of the Congo President for Ties to Armed Battle

WASHINGTON—Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Joseph Kabange Kabila (Kabila) for his position in supporting the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congo River Alliance (Alliance Fleuve Congo, AFC).  M23 is a Rwanda-backed armed group in jap DRC, and AFC acts as M23’s political-military coalition, which seeks to topple the federal government of the DRC.  M23 and AFC have fueled political instability and violent battle in jap DRC, ensuing within the deaths of 1000’s of civilians and a mass displacement disaster.

“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,” stated Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.  “Treasury will continue to use its full range of tools to support the integrity of the Washington Accords.”

This motion helps the historic U.S.-brokered Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity signed by the DRC and Rwandan heads of state on December 4, 2025, and their related dedication to advance a Regional Economic Integration Framework that expands commerce and funding, enhances transparency in important minerals provide chains, and paves the way in which for better funding within the area.

ROADBLOCKS TO PEACE IN EASTERN DRC

M23, a U.S.- and United Nations-designated armed group, has captured massive parts of territory in jap DRC, together with the capitals of North and South Kivu provinces, Goma and Bukavu, with direct army, monetary, and logistical assist from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), which OFAC sanctioned on March 2, 2026.  In response to M23’s offensives, a number of competing armed teams have mobilized and engaged in destabilizing actions within the DRC. 

M23 operates because the armed wing of the U.S.-designated AFC, a political-military coalition of rebels looking for regime change in Kinshasa, DRC.  The chief of the AFC, Corneille Nangaa, was initially sanctioned by OFAC in 2019 for his position in delaying the 2016 DRC elections as President of the National Independent Electoral Commission throughout Kabila’s presidency.  Nangaa has promoted AFC’s aim of mobilizing armed teams, establishing insurgent management of DRC territory, and overthrowing the DRC authorities in collaboration with M23; OFAC designated Nangaa once more in July 2024 for being a frontrunner of AFC. 

Joseph Kabila served as President of the DRC from 2001 till 2019.  Although his second time period was scheduled to conclude in 2016, he prolonged his time in workplace for greater than two years by unconstitutionally delaying elections. In 2025, he traveled to Goma, DRC, the place he has lived beneath the safety of M23.

KABILA’s SUPPORT TO M23 and AFC

With the appearance of AFC and M23’s renewed revolt, Kabila has returned to the DRC with the intent to destabilize the DRC authorities by way of his assist to M23 and AFC. 

Kabila has offered monetary assist to the AFC with a view to affect the political state of affairs in jap DRC.  Kabila has inspired Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) troops to defect and be part of AFC forces in jap DRC with a view to generate further assist for AFC.  Additionally, Kabila sought to launch assaults from exterior DRC on FARDC in jap DRC, however his effort was unsuccessful.  Kabila has additionally labored to place in place a candidate against the present President of the DRC with the intent to regain affect over the DRC authorities. 

OFAC designated Kabila pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or offered monetary, materials, or technological assist for, or items or companies in assist of, M23 and AFC.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a results of right this moment’s motion, all property and pursuits in property of the designated or blocked particular person described above which are within the United States or within the possession or management of U.S. individuals are blocked and have to be reported to OFAC.  In addition, any entities which are owned, instantly or not directly, individually or within the combination, 50 p.c or extra by a number of blocked individuals are additionally blocked. Unless approved by a common or particular license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s rules usually prohibit all transactions by U.S. individuals or inside (or transiting) the United States that contain any property or pursuits in property of blocked individuals. 

Violations of U.S. sanctions could outcome within the imposition of civil or felony penalties on U.S. and overseas individuals.  OFAC could impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict legal responsibility foundation.  OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines present extra data concerning OFAC’s enforcement of U.S. financial sanctions.  In addition, monetary establishments and different individuals could danger publicity to sanctions for participating in sure transactions or actions involving designated or in any other case blocked individuals.  The prohibitions embody the making of any contribution or provision of funds, items, or companies by, to, or for the advantage of any designated or blocked particular person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, items, or companies from any such particular person.  Non-U.S. individuals are additionally prohibited from inflicting or conspiring to trigger U.S. individuals to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, in addition to participating in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions.  Individuals positioned within the U.S. or overseas who present details about sanctions violations to Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network whistleblower incentive program could also be eligible for awards if the knowledge they supply results in a profitable enforcement motion that ends in financial penalties exceeding $1,000,000.

The energy and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not solely from OFAC’s means to designate and add individuals to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but additionally from its willingness to take away individuals from the SDN List in keeping with the regulation.  The final aim of sanctions is to not punish, however to deliver a couple of constructive change in conduct.  For data in regards to the course of for looking for elimination from an OFAC listing, together with the SDN List, or to submit a request, please confer with OFAC’s steerage on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.

Click here for more information on the person designated today.

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