By Our Reporter
The European Union (EU) has imposed sanctions on nine individuals and one entity in connection with severe human rights abuses, fueling armed conflict, and exploiting natural resources in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Announced on March 17, the sanctions specifically target leaders of the M23 rebel group and high-ranking officials within the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) as well as a Rwandan company involved in conflict minerals.
M23 Leaders Among Those Sanctioned
The M23, a rebel group responsible for destabilizing eastern DRC, is at the center of the EU’s latest sanctions. Five senior leaders from the group are directly implicated for their roles in perpetuating violence and undermining peace efforts in the region.
Bertrand Bisimwa, the president of M23, has been sanctioned for overseeing the group’s violent operations. Under his leadership, M23 has carried out brutal attacks, displacing thousands of civilians and continuing to fuel instability in eastern DRC. Bisimwa’s actions have been cited by the EU for exacerbating the conflict and hindering peace initiatives.
Other key figures in M23 who have faced sanctions include Désiré Rukomera, responsible for recruitment and propaganda, Colonel John Imani Nzenze, a senior military commander, Jean-Bosco Nzabonimpa Mupenzi, deputy chief of finances and production, and Joseph Musanga Bahati, the self-proclaimed governor of North Kivu, an area under M23’s illegal control. These individuals are accused of sustaining the group’s operations, financing violent attacks, and undermining the sovereignty of the DRC.
RDF Commanders Sanctioned For Involvement in DRC Conflict
In addition to the M23 leadership, three high-ranking officers of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) have been sanctioned. The EU holds them accountable for supporting armed groups, including M23, and for contributing to the prolonged instability in DRC.
Ruki Karusisi, the former commander of RDF’s Special Forces, has been directly implicated in military operations that support rebel factions in eastern Congo. Karusisi’s involvement has led to increased tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, and his recent replacement by Stanislas Gashugi may be an attempt to distance Rwanda from the mounting international pressure.
Other RDF commanders facing sanctions include Eugene Nkubito, commander of the RDF’s 3rd Division, and Pascal Muhizi, brigadier-general and commander of the 2nd Division. Both are accused of coordinating military support to destabilize the region further and perpetuate violence.
Rwandan Company & Mining Official Sanctioned
In addition to military leaders, Francis Kamanzi, the CEO of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum, and Gas Board (RMB), has been sanctioned for his role in exploiting the DRC’s vast natural resources. Kamanzi is accused of profiting from the illicit trade of conflict minerals, which fund armed groups like M23 and perpetuate the war economy.
Moreover, Gasabo Gold Refinery, a Rwanda-based company, is implicated in laundering gold sourced from M23-controlled areas in the DRC. By facilitating the illegal trade of conflict minerals, the refinery plays a significant role in sustaining the cycle of violence.
Diplomatic Fallout & Peace Talks
The EU sanctions add to the growing international pressure on Rwanda, urging the country to withdraw its forces from DRC. This demand is echoed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2773, which calls for an end to foreign military involvement in the region. In response to the sanctions, Rwanda and Belgium have cut diplomatic ties, with Brussels accusing Kigali of destabilizing eastern DRC, while Rwanda criticized Belgium’s interference as “neo-colonial meddling.”
The sanctions come just one day before scheduled peace talks between the DRC government and M23 rebels in Luanda, Angola. This marks the first direct negotiations between the two parties, with a five-member M23 delegation confirming its participation. The Congolese government, despite previously rejecting talks with M23, has signaled a shift in strategy by agreeing to send its own representatives to the table.
As the conflict continues to claim lives and displace hundreds of thousands, international efforts to negotiate peace remain critical. The roots of the war lie deep in the region’s history, stemming from the aftermath of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and ongoing battles over the DRC’s mineral wealth, which is vital for the global electronics and electric vehicle industries.
While Rwanda denies any direct involvement in supporting M23 militarily, accusing its forces of self-defense against Congolese militias, the international community continues to scrutinize Kigali’s actions, particularly its role in destabilizing the region. The sanctions signal a clear stance by the EU on holding both armed groups and state actors accountable for their actions in the ongoing conflict.
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