Joseph Kabila: the story explained

The US has imposed sweeping sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of backing the M23 rebel group. Joseph Kabila has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in Uganda.

Key facts

• The US has imposed sweeping sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila, accusing him of backing the M23 rebel group.
• The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo's former president Joseph Kabila for his support of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and for fuelling political instability in the DRC's troubled east.
• The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on former Congolese President Joseph Kabila for his alleged role in funding and providing political support to rebel groups operating in the east of his country.
• WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on former Congolese President Joseph Kabila for his alleged role in funding and providing political support to rebel groups operating in the east of his country.
• The current whereabouts of Kabila are unknown, but 12 months ago he made an appearance in the M23-held city of Goma.

What we know

Going deeper, the US on Thursday imposed sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo's former president Joseph Kabila for his support of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and for fuelling political instability in the DRC's troubled east.

On the substance, the Trump administration has imposed sanctions on former Congolese President Joseph Kabila for his alleged role in funding and providing political support to rebel groups operating in the east of his country.

Beyond the headlines, WASHINGTON

More precisely, the current whereabouts of Kabila are unknown, but 12 months ago he made an appearance in the M23-held city of Goma.

It is worth noting that the Treasury and State departments announced Thursday that they had targeted Kabila, who served as Congo’s president from 2001 until 2019, with a freeze on all assets he may have in the United States or that transit through financial institutions in U.S. jurisdictions.

By the numbers

At this stage, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a statement that Kabila had been supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 and Congo River Alliance rebel groups, which are seeking to topple the current Congo government.

On a related note, the 54-year-old ex-president, who led DR Congo for 18 years from 2001, said the measures were "profoundly unjustified, politically motivated and based on unsubstantiated accusations".

Going deeper, Washington also says Rwanda supports the M23 and sanctioned some of its army's leading commanders in March.

On the substance, At the beginning of 2025, the M23 made major advances capturing large areas of this mineral-rich region, including its biggest cities.

What they're saying

“He is the instigator, the initiator, the architect of the destabilisation of Congo,” Shabani said. “Mr Kabila is among those who make achieving peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo difficult and complicated.”

“President Trump is paving the way for peace in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and he has been clear that those who continue to sow instability will be held accountable,” Bessent said. “Treasury will continue to use its full range of tools to support the integrity of the Washington Accords.”

The wider context

On a related note, the former leader has not responded to US accusations that he is aiming to destabilise the government.

Going deeper, the US Treasury statement announcing the sanctions on Kabila alleged that he was aiming to destabilise Kinshasa and position an opposition candidate to regain political influence.

On the substance, Under the measures, all of Kabila's assets in the US have been frozen.

Beyond the headlines, But Kabila's office said the US decision was "based on the narrative of the Kinshasa authorities".

More precisely, Last September, he was sentenced to death in absentia by a Congolese military court for war crimes and treason in connection with his alleged support of the M23.

The bottom line

• The US on Thursday imposed sanctions on the Democratic Republic of Congo's former president Joseph Kabila for his support of Rwanda-backed M23 rebels and for fuelling political instability in the DRC's troubled east.
• The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on former Congolese President Joseph Kabila for his alleged role in funding and providing political support to rebel groups operating in the east of his country.
• WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on former Congolese President Joseph Kabila for his alleged role in funding and providing political support to rebel groups operating in the east of his country.
• Searches spiking right now: US imposes sanctions on DR Congo ex-President Kabila alleging rebel support, Congo Ex-President Kabila Denounces US Sanctions Against Him, He Led Congo for 18 Years. Now, Joseph Kabila Is a Hunted Man., DRC's ex-president Joseph Kabila dismisses US sanctions as "politically motivated".