The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced sanctions on two military commanders active in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, targeting leaders associated with the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) and the Rwanda-backed March 23 Movement (M23).
The Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control designated Gustave Kubwayo, identified as the commander of an intelligence and special operations unit within the FDLR, and John Imani Nzenze, described as an M23 commander and chief of intelligence. Both armed groups have previously been designated by the United States and the United Nations.
In a statement accompanying the action, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent was quoted as saying, "President Trump has been clear that there is an urgent need to resolve the horrific conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, and the United States is committed to peace and prosperity in the region." The statement added that "persistent violence by armed groups is exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis and presents a threat to U.S. interests in the region."
The Treasury noted specific operational and financial behaviors attributed to the FDLR. The group formed in 2000 from remnants of ex-Rwandan Armed Forces and extremist militias that fled Rwanda after the 1994 genocide, and it has been accused of funding its activities through civilian looting, unlawful taxation, kidnapping for ransom, and illegal logging in Virunga National Park. The Treasury first designated the FDLR on January 3, 2013.
The M23 insurgency is described in the Treasury notice as controlling significant swaths of North and South Kivu provinces. The designation references M23’s capture of the provincial capitals of Goma and Bukavu in January and February 2025, respectively, and notes that in April 2024 the group seized Rubaya, a town associated with coltan mining operations.
The U.S. government framed the sanctions within broader diplomatic expectations recorded in the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed on December 4, 2025. Under those accords, the United States expects the Democratic Republic of the Congo to neutralize the FDLR and affiliated groups. The accords also set out expectations that Rwanda withdraw its troops and military equipment from the DRC and end all support to M23.
The sanctions have a clear legal effect on assets and transactions involving the named individuals. They block all property and interests in property of the designated persons that are in the United States or under the control of U.S. persons. All transactions by U.S. persons involving the blocked persons are prohibited unless specifically authorized by a license issued by the Treasury.
The designations target the financial and legal reach of the two commanders by cutting access to assets within U.S. jurisdiction and limiting permissible engagements with U.S. entities. The Treasury’s action follows prior U.S. and U.N. designations of the armed groups and is presented as part of broader diplomatic efforts tied to the Washington Accords.
Summary of action:
- OFAC designated Gustave Kubwayo (FDLR) and John Imani Nzenze (M23).
- Designations follow prior U.S. and U.N. listings of both armed groups.
- Sanctions block U.S.-controlled property and prohibit most transactions by U.S. persons absent a license.
Context provided by the Treasury:
- FDLR's funding sources cited include looting, unlawful taxation, ransom kidnappings, and illegal logging in Virunga National Park; the group was first designated by the Treasury on January 3, 2013.
- M23 is reported to control large areas of North and South Kivu, including Goma and Bukavu captured in January and February 2025, and seized Rubaya in April 2024, a town tied to coltan mining.
- The Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity, signed December 4, 2025, set expectations for the DRC to neutralize FDLR and for Rwanda to withdraw military support for M23.