Financial Crime World

Title: M23 Military Spokesperson Willy NGODA’s Asset Freeze: An Update on the Democratic Republic of Congo Sanctions List

Date: 23 February 2024

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has recently announced an update to the UK Sanctions List with respect to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This update concerns the correction of a specific entry affecting Major Willy NGODA, the military spokesperson for M23.

The Democratic Republic of Congo Sanctions List

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 intends to freeze the assets and economic resources of individuals, entities, or groups responsible for serious human rights violations, breaches of international humanitarian law, or obstructing respect for democracy and good governance in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Major Willy NGODA Correction and Confirmation

Following the update on 23 February 2024, the FCDO has corrected the entry regarding Willy NGODA and affirmed that his asset freeze remains in effect:

Individuals

Willy NGODA

  • DOB: –/–/1974
  • POB: Camp Kokolo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Nationality: Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Address: Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Position: Major, Military spokesperson for M23
  • Other Information: (UK Sanctions List Ref): DRC0070. (UN Ref): CDi.044

Designation

Ngoda is designated under the following categories pursuant to UNSCR 2293 (2016):

  1. Political and military leaders of Congolese militias who impede the participation of their combatants in disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes.
  2. Individuals planning,directing,committing acts in the DRC that constitute human rights violations or abuses or violations of international humanitarian law, including violence against civilians.
  3. Entities owned or controlled by a designated individual or entity.

Consequences of Designation

The designation of Major Willy NGODA as a person subject to an asset freeze implies various obligations for financial institutions and other individuals:

  1. Financial institutions and other persons are required by law to check their accounts, maintain funds, and provide financial services for designated individuals and freeze the respective funds, or risk criminal proceedings.
  2. Reports of findings related to designated individuals must be submitted to the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU).

Additional Resources

For further information regarding UN measures related to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and associated financial sanctions regimes, refer to the UN Sanctions Committee webpage. More details can also be obtained from the Customs and Excise pages of the Isle of Man Government website.