The United States has imposed sanctions on two senior security officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo who are allied to President Joseph Kabila.
It accuses army Gen Gabriel Amisi Kumba and John Numbi, an ex-police chief, of threatening the country’s stability by suppressing the opposition.
The men, who have not commented on the allegations, have had their assets frozen in the US.
There have been recent protests against the postponement of presidential polls.
The opposition accuses President Kabila of trying to cling on to power beyond the end of his term, which is due to expire in December.
The US treasury said Gen Amisi had commanded units which violently suppressed opposition protests in several provinces, including one last year in which more than 40 people died.
“Soldiers have used excessive force and lethal weapons during demonstrations and political rallies,” the US treasury statement said.
Mr Numbi is said to have intimidated voters to secure victories for candidates affiliated to President Kabila in elections in March for governors.
“Numbi threatened to kill opposition candidates who did not voluntarily withdraw from the race, and on the same day these exchanges purportedly took place, three candidates withdrew,” the US statement said. BBC News
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