Washington has imposed financial and legal sanctions on two key figures from armed factions operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), citing their involvement in severe human rights abuses and attacks targeting civilian populations.
targeted sanctions against commanders accused of atrocities
The U.S. Department of State announced the measures against Gustave Kubwayo, a senior member of the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), and John Imani Nzenze, identified as the intelligence chief of the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 (AFC-M23). These sanctions aim to curb violence and enforce accountability in the Great Lakes region, aligning with international commitments under the Accords de Washington and the Doha process.
allegations against kubwayo and nzenze
Gustave Kubwayo faces accusations of orchestrating ethnically motivated violence, recruiting child soldiers, and overseeing cross-border attacks that destabilize Rwanda. Meanwhile, John Imani Nzenze is accused of playing a pivotal role in the M23 insurgency, which Washington alleges receives support from Rwanda. The U.S. attributes multiple civilian killings, human rights violations, and repeated assaults on communities in eastern DRC to the AFC-M23 movement.
204 fighters surrender in north and south kivu
The Congolese military reported the voluntary surrender of 204 AFC-M23 combatants in April and May 2026. According to Major Dieudonné Kasereka, spokesperson for the 34th military region, these former fighters laid down their arms in strategic locations across North Kivu and South Kivu, including Lubero, Rutshuru, Masisi, and Kalehe.
Military authorities confirm that measures are in place to address the needs of the surrendered individuals. Major Kasereka has urged remaining insurgents operating in forested areas to follow their peers’ example and participate in the disarmament process.
ongoing conflict fuels instability in eastern drc
Despite these developments, clashes between the AFC-M23 and the Forces armées de la RDC—backed by the Wazalendo self-defense groups—persist in North and South Kivu. The fighting remains intense in several territories, where security conditions continue to deteriorate, posing significant challenges to civilian safety and regional stability.
