US Sanctions Six Individuals Over DRC Conflicts

By Samuel Ouma

The United States on August 24 imposed sanctions on six individuals accused of fueling conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

In a statement, the US Treasury Department said the culprits, the individuals who are Rwandans and Congolese nationals, are responsible for the ongoing conflicts in the Central African countries to the extent of perpetrating human rights abuses, including sexual violence and violence against children.

“The United States is committed to promoting a peaceful resolution to the escalation of conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson.

“Treasury will not hesitate to hold accountable actors committing human rights abuses and exacerbating this already dire humanitarian situation.”

The sanctioned Rwandan nationals are Apollinaire Hakizimana and Brigadier General Sebastian, leaders at the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Ruvugayimikore Protogene, a Rwandan national, a leader at the FDLR-affiliated Maccabe group and Brigadier General Andrew Nyamvumba, the head of operations for the Rwandan Defence Forces' 3rd Division, were also sanctioned.

The Congolese targeted are Salomon Tokolonga of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Bernard Byamungu, a leader of a militia group known as M23.

As a result of the sanctions, all of the six individuals' property and interests in property in the United States, or in the ownership or control of U.S. persons, are frozen.

Also, any entities they own directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, are blocked.

Furthermore, financial institutions and others participating in specific transactions or activities with sanctioned individuals may face sanctions or be subject to enforcement action.