The United States has imposed financial and legal sanctions on two senior commanders of armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, accusing them of involvement in serious human rights abuses and attacks on civilian populations.
The U.S. State Department announced that the measures target Gustave Kubwayo, a leader within the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda, and John Imani Nzenze, described as the head of intelligence for the Congo River Alliance/M23. Washington says the sanctions are part of broader efforts to promote peace and stability in the Great Lakes region, and to push conflict actors to honour their international commitments—particularly those under the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity and the Doha process.
According to the State Department, Kubwayo is implicated in multiple atrocities attributed to the FDLR, including ethnically motivated violence, recruitment of child soldiers, sexual violence, and cross-border attacks threatening Rwanda’s security. Nzenze is accused of playing a key role within the M23, an armed group Washington considers backed by Rwanda. The U.S. holds the movement responsible for numerous killings, serious human rights violations, and repeated assaults on civilian communities in eastern DRC.
Meanwhile, the Congolese army announced the surrender of 204 fighters from the AFC-M23 during April and May 2026. According to a statement from Major Dieudonné Kasereka, spokesman for the 34th military region, the former combatants turned themselves in across several operational zones in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, including Lubero, Rutshuru, Masisi, and Kalehe. Military authorities say they have taken the necessary steps to handle them. Major Kasereka also called on remaining fighters still active in forested areas to lay down their weapons and join the surrender process.
These developments come as clashes continue between the AFC-M23 and the Congolese armed forces, supported by the Wazalendo self-defence groups. Fighting remains particularly intense in several territories of North Kivu and South Kivu, where the security situation remains worrying.
