The United States has imposed financial and legal penalties on two senior commanders of armed groups active in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They are accused of serious human rights abuses and attacks on civilians.
In a statement, the US State Department said the measures target Gustave Kubwayo, a leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), and John Imani Nzenze, identified as the intelligence chief of the Congo River Alliance/M23 (AFC-M23).
Washington states these sanctions are part of broader efforts to foster peace and stability in the Great Lakes region. The US aims to pressure all conflict parties to uphold 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 linked to the FDLR, including ethnic violence, child soldier recruitment, sexual assault, and cross-border attacks that threaten Rwanda’s security.
Meanwhile, John Imani Nzenze is accused of playing a role within the M23, an armed group Washington says is backed by Rwanda. The US attributes numerous murders, severe human rights violations, and repeated attacks on civilian communities in eastern DRC to this movement.
Separately, the Congolese army announced the surrender of 204 AFC-M23 fighters in April and May 2026. According to a statement from Major Dieudonné Kasereka, spokesperson for the 34th military region, these former combatants turned themselves in across multiple operational zones in North Kivu and South Kivu provinces, including Lubero, Rutshuru, Masisi, and Kalehe.
Military authorities say they have arranged for the care and processing of these ex-fighters. Major Kasereka also called on remaining combatants still active in forest areas to lay down their weapons and join the surrender process.
These developments come as clashes continue between the AFC-M23 and the DRC armed forces, which are supported by the Wazalendo self-defense groups. Fighting remains especially intense in several areas of North Kivu and South Kivu, where the security situation remains concerning.
