The European Union (EU) has sanctioned several rebel leaders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) the sanctioned individuals are responsible in one way or another for the chaos, conflict, and senseless killings of civilians in eastern DRC.
According to the EU, the individuals were sanctioned for directly contributing to human rights violations, abuses, fueling conflict, causing violence, illicit exploitation, and trade of natural resources among other atrocious crimes against the population. A total of 17 individuals are now subject to EU restrictive measures, which have been extended until December 12, 2023, and consist of an EU entry ban and an asset freeze. In addition, EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to the listed persons.
- Protogène Ruvugayimikore: Also known as Ruhinda or Zorro Midende, he is the leader of Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi (FDLR-FOCA). Sanctioned for human rights violations and sustaining armed conflict.
- Willy Ngoma: Military spokesperson of the M23 an armed group operating in the eastern DRC whose activities activated the deployment of the east African Regional Force. He is accused of commanding violence on civilians and fueling conflict.
- William Yakutumba: Secretary-general and commander of the Coalition Nationale du Peuple pour la Souverainité du Congo (CNPSC), a coalition of the so-called Mai-Mai militias in the South Kivu province of the DRC. He is the founder and leader of one of the largest militias of that coalition, the Mai-Mai Yakutumba, which also controls gold mines, fueling smuggling and attacks on civilians.
- Alain Goetz: Belgian gold trader and owner and former director of African Gold Refinery Ltd in Uganda. Accused of illegal gold trade by controlling armed groups Mai-Mai and Raia Mutomboki and exploiting armed conflict.
- Meddie Nkalubo: ‘known as Punisher In the Islamic State Central Africa Province (ISCAP). He is in charge of media production and ISCAP’s campaign. He is a key coordinator in the group’s international financial networks. And was sanctioned for human rights violations including killings and abductions in eastern DRC.
- Justin Bitakwira: Also known as ‘Bihona-Hayi’, the former Congolese minister is accused of hate speech against the Banyamulenge community, inciting armed attacks on them.
- Joseph Nganzo Olikwa Tipi: Also known as ‘Tipi Ziro Ziro’, he bears responsibility for violations by the Congolese Army (FARDC) in eastern DRC. He was commander of the 312th battalion of the 31st Main Defence Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (FARDC) until January 2022.
- Désiré Londroma Ndjukpa aka Lokana Lokanza: Defence officer of the armed group, Cooperative for Development of the Congo/Union of Revolutionaries for the Defence of the Congolese People (CODECO URDPC). Accused of ethnic cleansing of the Hema community
The sections are 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. This is along the East Africa Regional Force that has been confirmed to have troops from all nations in the EAC including Kenya, Burundi, and Uganda and recently confirmed 750 troops from South Sudan.
