Sanctions Target Rebel
Groups for Using Violence Against Children and Contributing to the Ongoing Conflict
in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
WASHINGTON – The
U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated two militant groups fomenting violence
and instability in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This action
against Mouvement du 23 Mars (M23) and the Forces Démocratiques de Libération du
Rwanda (FDLR) was taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13413, which targets
persons contributing to the conflict in the DRC.
M23 and the FDLR are armed groups operating in eastern DRC. Both groups have committed serious crimes involving
the targeting of children in the conflict in the DRC. These crimes, which include recruitment as
well as killing, maiming, and sexual violence, violate international law and are
the basis for the groups’ designation today.
Additionally, M23 is being designated for receiving arms and materiel
related to military activities that have contributed directly to the ongoing
conflict. As a result of today’s action,
U.S. persons are prohibited from providing any support to M23 and the FDLR. Additionally, any assets of the designated entities
within U.S. jurisdiction must be frozen.
There is a credible body of evidence demonstrating support
from the Rwandan government to M23, including significant military and
logistical support, as well as operational and political guidance. The United States has repeatedly called for a
permanent end to all support for M23 and the FDLR as well as other armed groups
operating in the DRC.
“The United States is committed to working with the
international community to end the violence perpetrated against children in the
DRC and exposing those responsible for these atrocities,” said Under Secretary
for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence David S. Cohen. “We also urge Rwanda to halt its assistance
to M23 and prevent any and all forms of support to Congolese armed groups.”
M23 has recently taken control of large parts of eastern DRC
and is made up of forced recruits and rebels who mutinied from the armed forces
of the DRC. The FDLR is led by Rwandan
Hutus who were involved in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Top commanders of both groups, M23’s Bosco
Ntaganda and FDLR’s Sylvestre Mudacumura, are wanted by the International
Criminal Court. Both groups have been
actively recruiting and using children in armed conflict. They have been responsible for campaigns of horrific
violence against the civilian population in the DRC, and they have used their
resources to undermine peace efforts in the region.
On December 31, 2012, the United Nations Security Council
DRC Sanctions Committee, with the support of the United States, added M23 and
the FDLR to its consolidated travel ban and asset freeze list. The United States and the United Nations
Security Council have previously designated several leaders of M23 and the FDLR
for their roles in the conflict.
Identifying
Information
Name: M23
AKA: Armee Revolutionaire
Congolaise
AKA: Congolese Revolutionary
Army
AKA: March 23 Movement
AKA: Mouvement Du 23
Mars
Address: North-Kivu,
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Website: www.m23mars.org
Name: Forces
Democratiques de Liberation du Rwanda
AKA: Combatant Force
for The Liberation of Rwanda
AKA: Democratic Forces
for the Liberation of Rwanda
AKA: FDLR
AKA: FOCA
AKA: Force
Combattante Abacunguzi
Address: North and
South Kivu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
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