The Council of the European Union (EU) decided on Monday 19 June to remove from its blacklist of sanctions two personalities from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in particular Kalev Mutondo and Emmanuel Ramazani Shadary, who were the subject of EU restrictive measures due to their involvement in human rights violations and their role in obstructing the 2018 electoral process, its statement said.
Mutondo and Shadary are, respectively, former Head of the National Intelligence Agency (ANR) and Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior.
The Council says that it took this decision in the light of the relevant judgments of the General Court of March 2023. But, it specifies that persons removed from the list may also be re-listed depending on their behavior in the future.
EU sanctions related to human rights violations and electoral obstruction remain in place, and restrictive measures against 15 people are still applicable, the statement also underlines.
It is also indicated that the Council will continue to follow closely the situation in the DRC. It is ready to include on the list any person who obstructs a consensual and peaceful way out of the crisis with a view to the holding of elections in the DRC, who is implicated in serious human rights violations or serious these rights, as well as those responsible for fueling armed conflict, instability and insecurity or for inciting violence.
Just as it is ready to include on the list those who exploit the fragility of the situation in the DRC, in particular by exploiting natural resources and wild species or by trading in them illicitly.
The EU will continue to support the fight against impunity in the DRC in order to bring the perpetrators of serious human rights violations to justice. This is essential for the victims, for lasting peace and security and for good governance inspired by the rule of law, the statement concludes.
By OMA Newsletter N° 1224 of 06/20/2023
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
