US sanctions ex-DRC president Kabila for aiding M23 rebels amid peace talks

The United States on Thursday imposed sanctions on Joseph Kabila, former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, for allegedly aiding the M23 rebel group and its political arm, the Congo River Alliance. The Treasury Department said Kabila, 54, who has been in self-imposed exile since 2023, provides financial and political support that enables militant organizations to drive violence and instability in eastern DRC, leading to thousands of civilian deaths and mass displacement. He is also accused of funding the Alliance to regain political influence and encouraging DRC troops to defect and join rebel forces.

DRC Deputy Prime Minister Jacquemain Shabani labeled Kabila "the instigator, the initiator, the architect of the destabilization of Congo," noting his role in undermining peace. The sanctions come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts: last week, representatives from the DRC, Rwanda, the United States, Qatar, Togo (as African Union mediator), and the African Union Commission met in Washington, DC to review progress on the Peace Agreement and discuss de-escalation steps. The parties affirmed commitment to sustain momentum in the peace process.

As a major African nation engaged in continental peace and security, Nigeria has a stake in regional stability. The situation underscores the importance of monitoring DRC developments, as spillover effects could influence broader peacekeeping and diplomatic engagements across the continent.

SOURCE: https://dailypost.ng/2026/05/01/us-sanctions-dr-congo-ex-president-joseph-kabila-for-aiding-rebels/