Africa-Press. The United States has imposed sanctions on leaders of armed groups accused of fueling the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Clashes continue in eastern Congo, where March 23 Movement (M23) rebels, whom the United Nations claims are supported by Rwanda, are fighting against the Democratic Liberation Forces of Rwanda (FDLR), a militia with roots in the 1994 genocide. Rwanda denies supporting the M23 movement.
The U.S. Treasury Department stated that it has imposed sanctions on John Imani Nzenzi, leader of the M23 and head of intelligence, as well as Gustav Kobwayo, leader of the FDLR and head of the intelligence and special operations unit.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Biesen stated that “President Trump has been clear about the urgent need to resolve the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the United States is committed to peace and prosperity in the region.”
He added, “The ongoing violence from armed groups exacerbates an already dire humanitarian crisis and poses a threat to U.S. interests in the region. The sanctions imposed today support a peaceful resolution and an end to the bloodshed.”
Nzenzi, the spokesperson for the governments of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, did not provide immediate comment.
Rwanda and Congo signed an agreement in Washington last December, as part of President Trump’s desire to obtain minerals from Congo and attract billions of dollars in Western investments.
Days after that signing, M23 rebels entered Ronald Reagan city, located in eastern Congo near the Burundian border, marking the largest escalation of the war in months. They later withdrew under pressure from the United States, as their presence was preventing American companies from investing in the region.
