US blacklists Kinshasa police chief over violent crackdowns

Washington (AFP) - The United States placed Kinshasa police chief Celestin Kanyama on its sanctions blacklist Thursday, calling him responsible for deaths, abductions and other violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The US Treasury Department tied the move to an upturn in political repression and arrest of opposition members in advance of the expiration of President Joseph Kabila's term in December.

The Treasury said Kanyama was responsible for a 2013-2014 police operation in which at least 50 young men and boys were reportedly killed and more than 30 others were forcibly "disappeared".

Likewise, it said he was responsible last year when more than 40 people were killed during anti-Kabila demonstrations in Kinshasa, at least half of them shot dead by security forces.

The sanctions, which are authorized for anyone judged "contributing to the conflict" in the DR Congo, freeze any assets Kanyama might have in US territory and forbid Americans from business dealings with him.

"Treasury's action today sends a clear message that the United States condemns the regime's violence and repressive actions, especially those of Celestin Kanyama, which threaten the future of democracy for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo."

In power since 2001, Kabila is widely believed to be eyeing a third term in office in contravention of the constitution which allows only two.