The United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee has imposed new sanctions on key armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), adding the AFC/M23 alliance and several of its leaders to its sanctions list over their alleged role in destabilizing the region. The updated list, approved on July 14 and published on July 16, includes six individuals and two armed entities accused of threatening peace and security in eastern DRC.
Corneille Nangaa among those sanctioned
Among the most prominent figures targeted is Corneille Nangaa, the former president of the DRC’s Independent National Electoral Commission (CENI), who now heads the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), one of the newly sanctioned organizations. The UN also sanctioned John Imani Nzenze, identified as the intelligence chief of the AFC’s military wing linked to the M23 rebel movement, which already faces international sanctions.
More armed group leaders targeted
The sanctions also extend to Charles Sematama, military commander of the Twirwaneho armed group, an AFC/M23 ally accused of committing atrocities in South Kivu, including the killing of civilians, child recruitment and other actions threatening regional stability. Also added to the list is Muhammed Lumisa, a logistics commander of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), the jihadist group affiliated with the Islamic State. In addition, two senior members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR)—Sébastien Uwimbabazi and Gustave Kubwayo—have been sanctioned.
Asset freezes, travel bans and arms embargo
According to the UN, all designated individuals and entities are accused of engaging in activities that undermine peace, stability and security in eastern DRC. Under the sanctions regime, all UN member states are required to implement measures including asset freezes, travel bans, and Interpol listings against the individuals concerned. The newly sanctioned armed groups, including AFC and Twirwaneho, are also subject to a comprehensive arms embargo, reinforcing international efforts to curb violence in the conflict-ridden eastern provinces of the DRC.
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