Democratic Republic of the Congo-related Designation

Treasury Press Release: Treasury Sanctions Former Democratic Republic of the Congo President for Ties to Armed Conflict

State Press Release: U.S. Sanctions on Former DRC President for Support of Armed Group

Additions:

The following individual has been added to OFAC’s SDN List:

OFAC Program: DRCONGO Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Regulations, 31 C.F.R. 547

KABILA, Joseph Kabange

• Address: Goma, Congo, Democratic Republic of the
• DOB: 04 Jun 1971
• POB: South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Nationality: Congo, Democratic Republic of the
• Gender: Male
• Former President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Party Type: Individual
• Linked to:
  • M23
  • CONGO RIVER ALLIANCE

Supplemental Information: Joseph Kabila served as President of the DRC from 2001 to 2019. Although his second term was scheduled to conclude in 2016, he extended his time in office for more than two years by unconstitutionally delaying elections. In 2025, he traveled to Goma, DRC, where he has lived under the protection of M23. Kabila has provided financial support to the AFC (Alliance Fleuve Congo, the Congo River Alliance) in order to influence the political situation in eastern DRC, and has encouraged FARDC troops to defect and join AFC forces. He also sought to launch attacks from outside DRC on FARDC in eastern DRC, though that effort was unsuccessful. Kabila has additionally worked to install a candidate opposed to the current DRC president with the intent to regain influence over the government. He was designated pursuant to E.O. 13413, as amended by E.O. 13671, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services in support of, M23 and AFC. M23 is a Rwanda-backed armed group in eastern DRC, and AFC acts as M23’s political-military coalition seeking to topple the DRC government. This action supports the U.S.-brokered Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity signed by the DRC and Rwandan heads of state on December 4, 2025.