Joseph Kabila: US sanctions DR Congo ex-president alleging M23 support

The former leader has not responded to US accusations that he is aiming to destabilise the government.

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Washington alleges he provided financial support, encouraged defections from the Congolese army and even "sought to launch attacks" on the military from outside the country.

The 54-year-old ex-president, who led DR Congo for 18 years from 2001, said the measures were "profoundly unjustified, politically motivated and based on unsubstantiated accusations".

The US said these latest sanctions were part of a wider effort to support last year's peace deal between neighbours DR Congo and Rwanda that it brokered.

Washington also says Rwanda supports the M23 and sanctioned some of its army's leading commanders in March.