The United States has announced financial and legal sanctions against two senior commanders of armed groups operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), accusing them of involvement in serious human rights violations and attacks on civilians.
Washington said the sanctions are aimed at Gustave Kubwayo, a senior figure in the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and John Imani Nzenze, the intelligence head of the Congo River Alliance/M23 (AFC-M23).
The U.S. Department of State stated that these measures are part of broader efforts to promote peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. The United States aims to push conflict actors to respect international commitments, including the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and the Doha process.
U.S. officials accuse Gustave Kubwayo of involvement in ethnically motivated violence, child soldier recruitment, sexual violence, and cross-border attacks that threaten Rwanda’s security. John Imani Nzenze is charged with activities in the M23, a group Washington considers Rwandan-backed. The United States blames the movement for numerous killings, grave human rights abuses, and repeated assaults on civilian communities in eastern DRC.
In a parallel development, the Congolese military reports that 204 fighters from the AFC-M23 surrendered in April and May 2026. Major Dieudonné Kasereka, spokesperson for the 34th military region, confirmed the surrenders occurred in multiple operational areas across North and South Kivu, specifically in Lubero, Rutshuru, Masisi, and Kalehe.
The army states it has made arrangements for the care of these ex-combatants. Major Kasereka urged other active fighters in forest zones to lay down their arms and join the disarmament process.
This unfolds as fighting continues between the AFC-M23 and the Armed Forces of the DRC, which are backed by Wazalendo self-defense groups. Combat is especially severe in several territories of North and South Kivu, where the security situation remains worrying.
