US Sanctions Joseph Kabila

The United States has imposed sanctions on Joseph Kabila, the former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for his alleged support of the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement and its political-military arm, the Congo River Alliance. These groups are accused of fueling violent conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, leading to thousands of civilian deaths and mass displacement. The United States — United States Department of the Treasury stated that Joseph Kabila provided financial support to the Congo River Alliance and encouraged Democratic Republic of the Congo troops to defect. This action is part of a broader U.S. effort to maintain a peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which previously faltered. The United States also sanctioned the Kenya — Kenya Defence Forces last month for its role in the conflict. Democratic Republic of the Congo Deputy Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani welcomed the sanctions, calling Joseph Kabila the 'instigator' of the country's destabilization. Joseph Kabila, who has denied wrongdoing, was previously sentenced to death in absentia by a military court in the Democratic Republic of the Congo for war crimes and treason.