UN sanctions DRC armed group leaders including Corneille Nangaa
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UN imposes fresh sanctions on DRC armed group leaders
The United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee, established under resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo, approved on July 14 the addition of six individuals and two entities to its sanctions list, according to a UN communiqué published today. The move targets key armed actors destabilizing eastern DRC.
Leading the list is Corneille Nangaa, identified as head of the Allied Forces of Congo (AFC)/March 23 Movement (M23), already under previous UN sanctions. Joining him is John Imani Nzenze, a colonel designated as M23’s intelligence chief, accused of orchestrating and supporting the rebel group’s operations.
The sanctions also target two commanders from the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR): Brigadier General Sébastien Uwimbabazi, based in Rutshuru, and Gustave Kubwayo, alias « Sirkoof », commander of FDLR-FOCA and head of the Commando for Deep Research and Action (CRAP). These leaders face allegations of civilian targeting, kidnapping for ransom, and illegal exploitation of natural resources.
Additional sanctions target Muhammed Lumisa, a commander, doctor, and logistics coordinator for the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)—an Ugandan-origin group—and Colonel Charles Sematama, military leader of the Twirwaneho group active in South Kivu’s Highlands. Sematama’s forces have been accused of atrocities against civilians since the group’s formation between 2008 and 2010.
The sanctions list now includes two entities: the AFC, established in 2023, and Twirwaneho. These designations trigger asset freezes, travel bans, and arms embargoes against the listed individuals and entities. The move comes amid persistent fighting in eastern DRC, raising international concerns about regional stability.
