OP-ED | When the United States Puts Congo on a Blacklist, It’s France That Risks Losing Central Africa
By Modeste Boukadia, President of the CDRC – June 12, 2025 – 9:27 a.m.

The U.S. decision to place Congo on its “blacklist” openly exposes the dangerous collusion between Denis Sassou Nguesso’s regime and networks hostile to Western interests. If Paris continues to protect Brazzaville, it risks ultimately being pushed out of Central Africa, just as it was in West Africa. In the face of this danger, only a popular awakening and a peaceful political transition can lift Congo out of this deadlock.

The inclusion of the Republic of Congo on the United States’ blacklist has sent shockwaves all the way to the top of the French government. And for good reason: this American decision—both political and strategic—could mark the end of Western support for Denis Sassou Nguesso. This is a source of great discomfort, starting with the Élysée Palace.

Behind this radical move lies a series of long-ignored warnings. In December 2024, during the ceremony marking the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, President Donald Trump explicitly advised Emmanuel Macron to “get rid” of Denis Sassou Nguesso. He reiterated this demand in April 2025 at Pope Francis’s funeral, citing dangerous ties between the Congolese regime and networks affiliated with Hezbollah, Hamas, and armed groups in Yemen—all of which are involved in activities threatening the interests of the United States and Israel.

These accusations are not baseless. Several companies—REGAL, SUPERSONIC, BUROTEC, La MANDARINE, La CITRONNELLE, RAGEC, CMP, SCAC, SMGC, and ZEROCK—have come under scrutiny. They are allegedly linked to Lebanese businessmen operating under the direct protection of Denis Sassou Nguesso, and holding Congolese diplomatic passports issued with clear intent. These entities are suspected of financing subversive activities on a global scale.

In the face of France’s inaction, the Trump administration has made its decision: Congo is now on the U.S. blacklist, with all the economic, diplomatic, and security consequences that entails. This designation is tantamount to a disguised embargo, with serious repercussions: any company, individual, or state that attempts to circumvent the ban risks severe penalties and fines under U.S. federal law.

But that’s not all: the American decision places France in an untenable position. By continuing to blindly support Denis Sassou Nguesso, Paris is jeopardizing its future in Central Africa. If Emmanuel Macron persists in this course, France risks being sidelined, just as it has been in West Africa—where, with the exception of Côte d’Ivoire, it has lost nearly everything.

The Congolese president has, in effect, endangered the country’s sovereignty and the safety of its people. The Congolese must recognize the gravity of the moment: the nation faces diplomatic, economic, and geopolitical collapse. It is now imperative for the Congolese people to mobilize—through general strikes and other forms of popular uprising—to force Paris to abandon Brazzaville. As long as France stubbornly props up a discredited regime, it is putting its own regional interests at risk.

Only one path remains: a Peaceful Political Transition. This alone can restore the state, initiate true administrative and financial decentralization by empowering regional governors, and implement an ambitious disimmigration policy to repatriate talent and restore hope to the youth.

This transition must include direct negotiations with President Donald Trump, aimed at dissolving the implicated companies, revoking fraudulent diplomatic passports, and securing concrete commitments in exchange for Congo’s removal from the blacklist.

History is in motion. It is up to the Congolese people to write it with honor.

Modeste Boukadia, President of the Congolese Circle of Democrats and Republicans (CDRC)
June 12, 2025 – 9:07 a.m.