By Enyichukwu Enemanna
Washington has announced sweeping sanctions on former Democratic Republic of Congo President, accusing him of backing the M23 rebel group.
Joseph Kabila, 54, who led the East African country for 18 years from 2001 has denied the allegations, saying measures against him were “profoundly unjustified, politically motivated and based on unsubstantiated accusations”.
The US alleges that he provided financial support, encouraged defections from the Congolese army and even “sought to launch attacks” on the military from outside the country.
The latest sanctions are part of a wider effort to support last year’s peace deal between the neighbouring DR Congo and Rwanda it brokered, the US stated.
Washington which also alleges that Rwanda is supporting the M23 had in March sanctioned some of its army’s leading commanders.
Kigali denies backing the rebels, despite overwhelming evidence, and says its military presence in the region is a defensive measure against threats posed by armed groups in DR Congo to Rwanda’s security.
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.
Under the measures, all of Kabila’s assets in the US have been frozen. American citizens and companies are barred from doing business with him. Banks and foreign partners have been warned against even indirect dealings with the former president, with violations carrying heavy civil or criminal penalties.
Washington says the sanctions are designed not only to punish but to force behavioural change, signalling Washington’s willingness to target former leaders accused of fuelling conflict.
Welcoming the US action, DR Congo’s government said it “constitutes another important step in the fight against impunity, respect for sovereignty and accountability”.
But Kabila’s office said the US decision was “based on the narrative of the Kinshasa authorities”. It added that the sanctions could be perceived as “a blank cheque for the crushing of every voice raised against corruption, predation, and the confiscation of the state”.
