UK Imposes Sanctions on Three Senior Congolese Militia Leaders

The United Kingdom has taken a bold step to address the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by imposing sanctions on three senior leaders of armed groups accused of human rights abuses, violence against civilians, and obstruction of disarmament processes.

The Sanctioned Individuals

Mohamed Ali Nkalubo (also known as DF(CDe.001))

• Designated for planning, promoting, and supporting the activities of an unnamed armed group
• Has effective command and control over the group’s combatants

Michel Rukunda

• Commander and military leader of the Twirwaneho militia
• Sanctioned for:
  • Recruiting child soldiers
  • Planning and committing human rights violations
  • Obstructing disarmament efforts

William Amuri Yakutumba (founder and leader of the MAI-MAI militia)

• Designated for promoting and supporting the activities of his group, which is accused of:
  • Targeting civilians, including killing, rape, and forced displacement
  • Has effective command and control over the militia’s combatants

The Sanctions

The three individuals were added to the UK Sanctions List on February 20, 2024, and are subject to:

• Asset freezes: Any assets held by these individuals in the UK will be frozen
• Travel bans: These individuals will be prohibited from traveling to or through the UK

These sanctions aim to prevent these individuals from engaging in activities that undermine peace and security in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Purpose of the Sanctions

According to a statement from HM Treasury’s Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation, the purpose of the sanctions is “to prevent these individuals from engaging in activities that undermine peace and security in the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

These designations are part of the UK’s efforts to support international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the DRC and promote accountability for those responsible for human rights violations.