Democratic Republic of the Congo: EU renews restrictive measures and adds eight additional individuals

The Council today decided to add eight people to the list of those subject to restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The existing restrictive measures were renewed for one year.

The eight listed individuals include five members of various armed groups (M23, ADF, CODECO, FDLR and Mai-Mai Yakatumba), as well a member of the Congolese army, a Congolese politician and a Belgian businessman. Most of them are responsible for serious human rights violations and abuses and for sustaining the armed conflict in the DRC. Others have been listed for inciting violence and exploiting the conflict through the illicit exploitation or trade of natural resources.

In total, 17 individuals are now subject to EU restrictive measures, which were renewed until 12 December 2023 and consist of a travel ban and an asset freeze. In addition, EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to those listed.

Today's decision was taken in the context of the EU’s integrated approach in support of the efforts by the DRC authorities to build a lasting peace and stabilise the Eastern part of the country. It signals the EU’s active engagement towards the Great Lakes region, with a view to contributing to addressing the root causes of insecurity and transforming them into opportunities for the countries in the region and their populations.

The Council will continue to closely monitor the situation in the country, and may consider additional restrictive measures in light of developments.

The relevant legal acts, including the names of the listed individuals, have been published in the Official Journal of the EU.

Background

EU autonomous individual restrictive measures in view of the situation in the DRC were adopted by the Council for the first time in 2016 in response, in particular, to human rights violations and the obstruction of the electoral process. 

On 5 December 2022, the Council decided to amend the designation criteria in Decision 2010/788/CFSP to allow for the application of individual restrictive measures against natural or legal persons, entities or bodies that sustain, support or benefit from the armed conflict, instability or insecurity in the DRC, as well as those responsible for inciting violence, or exploiting the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC, including through the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources.

• Council Implementing decision and regulation concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Official Journal of the EU (including a list of sanctioned individuals)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Council extends current sanctions against 10 people for one more year (press release 9 December 2021)