The United States on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, imposed sanctions on senior commanders of two armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, citing ongoing human rights abuses and regional instability.
The sanctions target Gustave Kubwayo, a special operations commander of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and John Imani Nzenze, intelligence chief of the March 23 Movement (M23).
According to the US State Department, the FDLR has been involved in ethnic violence, the use of child soldiers and cross-border attacks, while the M23 is linked to serious human rights abuses and killings of civilians.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the action reflects Washington’s commitment to stabilizing the region and supporting peace frameworks, including the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity signed in December, as well as the Doha Framework between Kinshasa and the M23/AFC rebel coalition.
The Trump Administration reaffirmed its support for ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at restoring peace and security in the eastern DRC.