The United States has imposed sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of providing significant financial and political support to the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and their political-military arm, the Congo River Alliance (AFC). This action is part of a broader U.S. effort to address the escalating violence and instability in eastern DRC, which has led to thousands of civilian deaths and a massive displacement crisis. The U.S. Treasury Department asserted that Kabila's actions, including encouraging DRC troops to defect and join AFC forces, are aimed at influencing the political situation in the region and regaining influence over the government by backing opposition candidates.

Kabila, who succeeded his assassinated father in 2001 and remained in power until 2019 after extending his term beyond constitutional limits, has been identified as a principal driver of violence. He notably re-emerged last year in Goma, a key eastern city that had fallen under the control of M23 fighters during a lightning offensive. The Treasury Department believes Kabila returned "with the intent to destabilize" the country and has used his substantial business interests within the DRC to further his objectives. Allies continuing to work with him risk facing the wrath of U.S. sanctions.

The sanctions come amidst the failure of a U.S.-brokered peace deal, known as the Washington Accords, signed by Rwanda and the DRC in December. Despite President Donald Trump's initial fanfare about paving the way for peace, M23 troops continued their advance. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reiterated the U.S. commitment to accountability, stating, "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." State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott emphasized that the U.S. will hold accountable "anyone who obstructs peace efforts in the DRC," and urged regional leaders to reject perpetrators of violence.

The DRC's Deputy Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani welcomed the U.S. move, calling it long-delayed and asserting that Kabila is "the instigator, the initiator, the architect of the destabilisation of Congo." He added that Kabila makes achieving peace "difficult and complicated." The U.S. Treasury had previously sanctioned the Rwanda Defence Force and top military officials in March for their role in the ongoing fighting, calling for their immediate withdrawal from the mineral-rich region. Rwanda, however, has consistently denied direct support to the M23/AFC and has demanded that the Kinshasa government crack down on Hutu militants linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide against Tutsis and moderate Hutus.

Joseph Kabila himself has criticized his successor, President Felix Tshisekedi, for the country's problems, arguing that attributing the unrest solely to the M23 ignores the "root causes," primarily the governance of the DRC by its current leadership. Kabila's relationship with the United States had deteriorated during his tenure due to concerns over his human rights record, attempts to prolong his stay in power, and the opening of mines to China. Last year, a military court in Kinshasa sentenced Kabila to death in absentia for war crimes, treason, and crimes against humanity related to his alleged role with the rebels, a move he claims is politicized. While he has resided mostly in South Africa since late 2023, he was reportedly in rebel-held Goma in May. The U.S. sanctions, imposed by Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, will freeze any assets Kabila holds in the United States and prohibit all transactions within the U.S. financial system, further complicating any potential political comeback and impacting his financial network.