On Monday 17 March, the Council of the EU adopted restrictive measures against nine individuals and a gold refinery company for their alleged involvement in the offensive by the Rwandan-backed armed group ‘M23’ in the east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). The sanctions include asset freezes and EU travel bans.
Those targeted include Bertrand Bisimwa, President of the ‘M23’, and several senior officials, Désiré Rukomera, John Imani Nzenze, Jean-Bosco Nzabonimpa Mupenzi and Joseph Musanga Bahati, appointed Governor of North Kivu by the ‘M23’.
The sanctions also target officers of the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF), in particular Major General Ruki Karusisi, Brigadier Generals Eugène Nkubito and Pascal Muhizi, accused of providing military support to the M23’ in the DRC.
In addition, Francis Kamanzi, director of the Rwandan Office of Mines, Oil and Gas, has been sanctioned for his role in the exploitation of natural resources in areas controlled by ‘M23’.
Finally, Gasabo Gold Refinery, based in Kigali, is being targeted for its involvement in refining and exporting gold extracted illegally in the DRC.
On the same day, Rwanda announced that it was severing diplomatic relations with Belgium.
See the legal document: https://aeur.eu/f/fzl (BD)