Former DR Congo President Joseph Kabila hit with US sanctions

The United States sanctioned former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila on April 30, saying he supported rebel groups active in the country's east.

The U.S. Treasury said Kabila was targeted over ties to M23 and the Congo River Alliance, also known as AFC. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control added him to its Specially Designated Nationals list the same day.

According to Treasury, the sanctions freeze any property or interests in property Kabila may have in U.S. jurisdiction and bar U.S. persons from dealing with him.

Reuters and AP independently reported the action on April 30, confirming the move as a fresh escalation in U.S. pressure over the conflict in eastern Congo. Treasury said the designation was tied to alleged support for armed conflict.

The sanctions are likely to deepen the political fallout around one of the Democratic Republic of Congo's best-known figures and keep attention on the wider conflict in the east.

Neither Reuters nor AP reported an immediate public response from Kabila in the coverage reviewed.