meta_id 3116576

On April 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on Joseph Kabange Kabila, former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), for his role in supporting the March 23 Movement (M23) and the Congo River Alliance (AFC). M23 is a Rwanda-backed armed group operating in eastern DRC, while AFC functions as M23's political-military coalition seeking to topple the DRC government. Both organisations have fueled political instability and violent conflict in the region, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths and mass displacement. OFAC designated Kabila pursuant to Executive Order 13413, as amended by Executive Order 13671, for materially assisting, sponsoring, and providing financial, material, and technological support to M23 and AFC. Kabila, who served as DRC President from 2001 to 2019, has provided financial support to AFC, encouraged Armed Forces of the DRC troops to defect to AFC forces, and sought to install a candidate opposed to the current DRC President to regain influence. Since 2025, Kabila has resided in Goma under M23's protection. The sanctions action supports the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed by the DRC and Rwandan heads of state on December 4, 2025, which established commitments to regional economic integration and critical minerals supply chain transparency. As a result of the designation, all U.S.-based property and interests of Kabila are blocked. U.S. persons are generally prohibited from conducting transactions involving Kabila's property unless authorised by OFAC licence. Violations may result in civil or criminal penalties. Non-U.S. persons are also prohibited from causing U.S. persons to violate sanctions or engaging in conduct that evades U.S. sanctions restrictions. REFERENCES: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control. "Treasury Sanctions Former Democratic Republic of the Congo President for Ties to Armed Conflict." April 30, 2026. https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/jy2360