By Vera Anyagafu with agency report
The United States government has imposed fresh sanctions on senior commanders of two armed groups fueling violence in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), targeting the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23) and the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).
The US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) announced the designation of two individuals linked to the groups, in a move aimed at curbing instability in the conflict-hit region.
Those sanctioned are Gustave Kubwayo, identified as a commander within an intelligence and special operations unit of the FDLR, and John Imani Nzenze, described as the chief of intelligence for M23, a group designated by the US and the United Nations and widely reported to receive backing from Rwanda.
Under the sanctions, any assets held by the individuals within US jurisdiction have been frozen, while US persons and entities are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the action reflects Washington’s commitment to ending the prolonged conflict in eastern Congo.
“President Trump has been clear that there is an urgent need to resolve the horrific conflict in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the United States is committed to peace and prosperity in the region,” Bessent said.
He added that continued violence by armed groups was worsening the humanitarian crisis and threatening broader regional stability and US interests.
The sanctions, announced on June 3, 2026, are part of efforts to support implementation of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity as well as the Doha Framework aimed at restoring stability in the Great Lakes region.
Under the agreements, Washington expects the DRC to neutralise the FDLR and related armed groups, while Rwanda is expected to withdraw troops and military equipment from Congolese territory and end support for M23.
The US Treasury noted that both sanctioned individuals are linked to activities contributing to armed conflict and instability in eastern DRC, a region long plagued by violence involving multiple armed factions.
The latest measures come amid renewed diplomatic pressure on Kinshasa and Kigali as the United States pushes for full implementation of peace agreements alongside broader regional economic cooperation.
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