Eight additional personalities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are now subject to European restrictive measures, according to an announcement made Thursday in a press release by the Council of the European Union (EU).
“The Council decided today to add eight persons to the list of persons subject to restrictive measures due to the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The existing restrictive measures have been extended for a period of one year,” the statement said.
Among the eight people are five members of different armed groups, namely Willy Ngoma, spokesperson for the March 23 movement (M23), Ruvugayimikore Protogène, leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda-Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi (FDLR-FOCA), Meddie Nkalubo of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), Désiré Londroma Ndjukpa of the Cooperative for the Development of Congo-Union of Revolutionaries for the Defense of the Congolese People (Codeco-URDPC group) and William Yakutumba of the National People’s Coalition for the Sovereignty of the Congo (CNPSC).
The other three are the former Congolese Minister for Rural Development, Justin Bitakwira, Colonel Joseph Nganzo Olikwa, still serving in the Congolese army, as well as a Belgian businessman, Alain Goetz, head of a company which “receives, buys, refines and markets illicit gold from mines in the DRC controlled by armed groups”.
“Most of them are responsible for committing serious human rights violations and abuses, as well as for maintaining the armed conflict in the DRC. Others have been listed on the grounds of inciting violence and instrumentalizing the conflict, engaging in the illicit exploitation and trade of natural resources,” the statement continued.
The document also specifies that a total of 17 people are now subject to EU restrictive measures, which have been extended until 12 December 2023 and consist of a ban on entering EU territory and a asset freeze. Also, EU citizens and businesses are prohibited from making funds available to listed individuals.
The Council states that its decision is part of an integrated EU approach aimed at supporting the efforts of the DRC authorities to establish lasting peace and stabilize the eastern part of the country. It would testify to the active role that the EU plays in favor of the Great Lakes region, with a view to contributing to the fight against the root causes of insecurity and to transforming them into opportunities for the countries of the region and their populations.
Finally, the Council promises to continue its approach to closely monitor the situation in the country and to consider, possibly, other restrictive measures depending on the evolution of the situation.
By OMA Newsletter N° 971 of 09/12/2022
Article published under the direction of Dr. Najib Kettani
The OMA, NGO with an Intercontinental vocation
For the development of cultural exchanges
Valuing human potential
The promotion and consolidation of Africa’s development, and
Inter-African integration
