Financial Crime World

Congo Regulation Update: Six New Entries Added to UK Sanctions List

Six Individuals Designated under Democratic Republic of the Congo Regime

21 February 2024

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Regime under the UK Sanctions Act 2018 has seen new additions to its list of designated individuals, subject to asset freezes. This update includes the following six individuals, effective from 21 February 2024:

  1. Apollinaire Hakizimana
    • A Rwandan military leader of the Forces Déocratiques de Libération du Rwanda – Forces Combattantes Abacunguzi (FDLR)
    • Born: –/–/1964
    • Group ID: 16379
    • Reasons for Designation: Political and military leader of a foreign armed group that impedes disarmament and voluntary repatriation in the DRC. Planning, directing, or committing acts involving human rights violations or abuses and international humanitarian law.
  2. Ahmad Mahmood Hassan
    • A senior leader of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF)
    • Born: 1997 or 1993
    • Nationality: Tanzanian
    • Address: Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • Group ID: 16380
    • Aliases: Aliyani, Mahamud, Hassan, Ahmad Mahmood, Mahmoood, Marabou
    • Designation: Political and military leader of the ADF, planning, directing, or committing acts involving human rights violations or abuses and international humanitarian law.
  3. Willy Ngoma
    • Major and military spokesperson for M23
    • Democratic Republic of the Congo address
    • Group ID: 16382
    • Designation: Political and military leader of Congolese militias that impede the participation of combatants in disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes.
  4. Mohamed Ali Nkalubo
    • ADF senior leader for operations, organization, support, and communication and propaganda
    • Aliases: Meddie Lee, Meddie Nkalubo, Abu Shaukan, Defender, Kasibante, Punisher, Punny Boy
    • Nationality: Ugandan
    • Group ID: 16383
  5. Michel Rukunda
    • Commander and military leader of the armed group Twirwaneho
    • Born: Minembwe, South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
    • Group ID: 16381
    • Designation: Political and military leader of Congolese militias, recruiting or using children in armed conflict, planning, directing, committing acts involving human rights violations, and acting on behalf of or at the direction of a designated individual or entity.
  6. William Amuri Yakutumba
    • Secretary General and leader for the Coalition nationale du people pour la souveraineté du Congo (CNPSC) until February 2023
    • Founder and leader for MAI-MAI YAKUTUMBA
    • Group ID: 16384
    • Designation: Political leader of Congolese militias that impede disarmament and voluntary repatriation.

Recent Updates and Ongoing Efforts

These additions come after recent updates to the UK Sanctions List, emphasizing the ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the regime through targeted sanctions against individuals implicated in human rights violations and abuses in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Financial institutions and other persons are required, under the regulations, to check their holdings against the lists and freeze designated individuals’ assets, unless licensed by the Treasury.