The United Nations has rolled out fresh sanctions targeting multiple armed factions operating in the eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), including the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) and its military wing, the M23 rebel group.
Among those newly listed is Corneille Naanga, a prominent figure who previously led the country’s electoral commission. Now serving as the AFC’s top commander, Naanga oversees operations across North-Kivu and South-Kivu—regions gripped by prolonged conflict. The sanctions also include John Imani Nzenze, identified as the intelligence chief of the AFC/M23 coalition, which has already faced prior UN restrictions.
Measures include asset freezes, travel bans, and Interpol listings
The expanded sanctions roster now features Charles Sematama, a military leader of the Twirwaneho faction, an ally of the AFC/M23. The UN accuses Twirwaneho of orchestrating targeted violence in South-Kivu, citing civilian fatalities, child soldier recruitment, and destabilizing actions that undermine regional security. Additional names on the list are Muhammed Lumisa, logistics coordinator for the ADF—a jihadist faction linked to the Islamic State—and two senior figures from the Rwandan-backed Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR): Brigadier General Sébastien Uwimbabazi and Commander Gustave Kubwayo.
Targeted groups linked to ongoing instability in eastern DRC
According to the UN statement, all designated individuals and entities are accused of engaging in activities that directly threaten peace, stability, and security in eastern DRC. The measures enforce a comprehensive package of penalties, including:
- Frozen financial assets
- Travel restrictions for listed individuals
- Mandatory inclusion in Interpol’s watchlist
- Total arms embargo against AFC and Twirwaneho
The sanctions signal a renewed international effort to curb the influence of armed groups fueling violence in the mineral-rich but war-torn eastern DRC.
