US sanctions on ex‑DRC President Joseph Kabila trigger Kinshasa protests

Thousands of demonstrators marched through Kinshasa to voice support for the United States' sanctions imposed on former Congolese president Joseph Kabila. The rally also served as a platform to reignite public discussion about proposed reforms to the DRC's Constitution.

The Congolese government publicly welcomed the Washington sanctions, issuing a statement through its Ministry of Communication and Media. The sanctions come amid ongoing armed conflict in the country's eastern region.

The protests highlight domestic backing for international pressure on Kabila and underscore lingering political tensions surrounding constitutional change in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.