The United Nations Security Council has imposed sanctions on six individuals linked to armed groups operating in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), including senior figures from M23, FDLR and Twirwaneho.
The sanctions were announced on Thursday, July 16, by the UN committee responsible for implementing measures against individuals and entities considered to threaten peace and security.
Among those sanctioned are Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), and Colonel John Imani Nzenze, head of intelligence for AFC/M23.
The UN said Nzenze was involved in planning and supporting activities carried out by the M23 movement, which has been at the centre of renewed conflict in eastern DRC.
The sanctions also target two senior FDLR commanders: Brig. Gen. Sébastien Uwimbabazi and Gustave Kubwayo, also known as Sirkoof.
Kubwayo, who serves within FDLR-FOCA and leads the group’s special operations unit, Commando de recherche et d’action en profondeur (CRAP), is accused by the UN of directing operations involving attacks against civilians, kidnappings for ransom and the illegal exploitation of natural resources.
The sanctions list further includes Colonel Charles Sematama, a military commander of the Twirwaneho armed group operating in South Kivu, and Mohammed Lumisa, identified by the UN as a leader, medical officer and external logistics coordinator for Uganda’s Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).
The UN has accused Twirwaneho of carrying out abuses against civilians since the group’s formation between 2008 and 2010.
The latest measures also place AFC/M23 under UN sanctions as an entity.
Individuals and groups placed under the sanctions regime face restrictions including asset freezes, international travel bans and measures preventing them from acquiring or possessing weapons. UN member states are required to enforce the restrictions.
