Eastern DRC: The United States imposes sanctions on 6 individuals linked to the conflict

On Thursday 24 August, the US Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued sanctions against six individuals accused of "contributing to the most recent escalation of the conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)".

Many of those sanctioned are of Rwandan nationality:

• Apollinaire Hakizimana (Hakizimana), a Rwandan national, is the Defence Commissioner of the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du Rwanda (FDLR).
• Brigadier General Sebastian Uwimbabazi (Uwimbabazi), a Rwandan national, is an FDLR leader in charge of intelligence.
• Ruvugayimikore Protogene (Protogene), a Rwandan citizen, heads the Maccabe group, affiliated to the FDLR, formerly known as the Commando de recherche et d'action en profondeur (CRAP).
• Bernard Byamungu (Byamungu), a Congolese national, is the M23's deputy commander of operations and intelligence.
• Colonel Salomon Tokolonga (Tokolonga), a Congolese national, is head of the 3411ᵉ regiment of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC).
• Brigadier General Andrew Nyamvumba (Nyamvumba), a Rwandan national, is the chief of operations of the 3ᵉ Division of the Rwanda Defence Forces (RDF). "In early 2022, the 3ᵉ division entered DRC territory and, in collaboration with M23 fighters, launched attacks against FARDC positions and camps, causing casualties among them."

The assets of the individuals concerned have been frozen.

According to the statement issued by the US Treasury Department, "all assets and interests in assets owned by the persons named above that are located in the United States or held by US persons are frozen and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, all entities owned, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, by at least 50 % of one or more sanctioned persons, are also frozen".

It is important to note that the main aim of these sanctions is not to punish, as the document emphasises, but to encourage a positive change in behaviour.

Brian E. Nelson, Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, said: "The United States is committed to promoting a peaceful resolution to the escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The Treasury Department will not hesitate to hold accountable those who commit human rights abuses and exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation.

The current escalation of the conflict began in November 2021 when the Rwandan-backed March 23 Movement (M23) took control of parts of the DRC's North Kivu province. This occupation provoked a response from the Congolese army (FARDC) as well as several non-state armed groups, including the Forces démocratiques de libération du Rwanda (FDLR), which are now subject to sanctions.