Treasury Sanctions Former Democratic Republic of the Congo President for Ties to Armed Conflict | U.S. Department of the Treasury

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FREEDOM250 Countdown to America's 250th Anniversary July 4, 2026 Learn More April is Financial Literacy Month - Financial Literacy Fuels the American Dream - Learn More at MyMoney.gov Press Releases Treasury Sanctions Former Democratic Republic of the Congo President for Ties to Armed Conflict April 30, 2026 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 role in supporting the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congo River Alliance ( Alliance Fleuve Congo , AFC).  M23 is a Rwanda-backed armed group in eastern DRC, and AFC acts as M23’s political-military coalition, which seeks to topple the government of the DRC.  M23 and AFC have fueled political instability and violent conflict in eastern DRC, resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians and a mass displacement crisis. “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,” said 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 action supports 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 associated commitment to advance a Regional Economic Integration Framework that expands trade and investment, enhances transparency in critical minerals supply chains, and paves the way for greater investment in the region. ROADBLOCKS TO PEACE IN EASTERN DRC M23, a U.S.- and United Nations- designated armed group, has captured large portions of territory in eastern DRC, including the capitals of North and South Kivu provinces, Goma and Bukavu, with direct military, financial, and logistical support from the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), which OFAC sanctioned on March 2, 2026.  In response to M23’s offensives, several competing armed groups have mobilized and engaged in destabilizing activities in the DRC. M23 operates as the armed wing of the U.S.- designated AFC, a political-military coalition of rebels seeking regime change in Kinshasa, DRC.  The leader of the AFC, Corneille Nangaa, was originally sanctioned by OFAC in 2019 for his role in delaying the 2016 DRC elections as President of the National Independent Electoral Commission during Kabila’s presidency.  Nangaa has promoted AFC’s goal of mobilizing armed groups, establishing rebel control of DRC territory, and overthrowing the DRC government in collaboration with M23; OFAC designated Nangaa again in July 2024 for being a leader of AFC. Joseph Kabila served as President of the DRC from 2001 until 2019.  Although his second term was scheduled to conclude in 2016, he extended his time in office for more than two years by unconstitutionally delaying elections. In 2025, he traveled to Goma, DRC, where he has lived under the protection of M23. KABILA’s SUPPORT TO M23 and AFC With the advent of AFC and M23’s renewed rebellion, Kabila has returned to the DRC with the intent to destabilize the DRC government through his support to M23 and AFC. Kabila has provided financial support to the AFC in order to influence the political situation in eastern DRC.  Kabila has encouraged Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) troops to defect and join AFC forces in eastern DRC in order to generate additional support for AFC.  Additionally, Kabila sought to launch attacks from outside DRC on FARDC in eastern DRC, but his effort was unsuccessful.  Kabila has also worked to put in place a candidate opposed to the current President of the DRC with the intent to regain influence over the DRC government. OFAC designated Kabila pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, M23 and AFC. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked person described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC.  In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons.  OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC’s enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions.  In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons.  The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person.  Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing or conspiring to cause U.S. persons to wittingly or unwittingly violate U.S. sanctions, as well as engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions.  Individuals located in the U.S. or abroad who provide information about sanctions violations to Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network whistleblower incentive program may be eligible for awards if the information they provide leads to a successful enforcement action that results in monetary penalties exceeding $1,000,000. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law.  The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior.  For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC’s guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List . 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