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US sanctions allies of DR Congo's President Kabila
The United States has imposed sanctions on two senior security officials in the Democratic Republic of Congo who are allied to President Joseph Kabila.
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It accused 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 BBC has reported.
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 many 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 during the election for governors in March.
"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.
US-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) welcomed the sanctions and called for more leaders to be targeted.
"For the greatest impact, the US should expand sanctions to include other senior government, security, and intelligence officials responsible for brutal repression over the past two years," HRW researcher Ida Swayer said.
HRW says at least 50 people died in the clashes with the police, but the interior ministry put the figure at 17, including three officers.
Meanwhile, TV channel CFTV, owned by opposition leader Vital Kamerhe, said its frequency had been revoked and given to a different operator.
