Washington sanctions Congo's former president for links to Rwandan rebels
It is the latest move against Rwanda and its supporters for reneging on a peace deal announced by Donald Trump in December in the presence of the leaders of the two countries.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent
The Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions against Joseph Kabila, former president of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, accused of supporting Rwanda-linked rebels who control large parts of the country.
It is the latest move by Washington against Rwanda and its supporters for breaching a peace deal announced by Donald Trump in December in the presence of the leaders of the two countries, AFP quoted him as saying.
"President Trump is paving the way for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and he has made clear that those who continue to sow instability will be held accountable," Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement posted on the Treasury website.
"Treasury will continue to use its full range of tools to support the integrity of the Washington Accords."
Exile, convictions in absentia and treason
Kabila succeeded his father in 2001, after he was assassinated, as president of this state with a long history of conflict. He remained in office until 2019, after extending his mandate beyond that allowed by the Constitution.
After several years in exile, he reappeared last year in Goma, a city in eastern DR Congo controlled by the Rwanda-based M23 rebel group.
Last year, a military court convicted Kabila in absentia of treason and other charges related to his role in the rebel group.
M23 and the AFC
M23 is a Rwandan-backed armed group in eastern DRC, and the AFC acts as M23's political-military coalition, whose aim is to overthrow the DRC government.
M23 and the AFC have fueled political instability and violent conflict in eastern DRC, resulting in the death of thousands of civilians and a mass displacement crisis.
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