The U.S. Department of the Treasury on Thursday imposed targeted sanctions on Celestin Kanyama, the commander of the DR Congo National Police Force (PNC), for his role in police violence targeted against civilians, including peaceful protesters.
A statement by John Kirby, Spokespersons of the US State Department, said the action against Kanyama will freeze his assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction and generally prevent U.S. persons from engaging in transactions with him.
“We’re deeply concerned about the ongoing political crisis in the DRC, the violence that gave rise to Kanyama’s designation is unacceptable and undermines the country’s stability and democratic institutions,” the statement said.
The US urged all Congolese stakeholders to refrain from violence and to commit to an “inclusive, credible dialogue aimed at advancing national elections in line with the DRC constitution”.
The DR Congo opposition, which has been stating that President Joseph Kabila is ineligible to contest the next presidential election in November, has been met with brutal force.
The opposition is demanding that Kabila steps down after serving two terms and say he wants to delay the election or amend the constitution to remove the term limit.
