The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s current role as United Nations Security Council president has amplified scrutiny over recent sanctions imposed on Corneille Nangaa, coordinator of the rebel movement AFC/M23, and other armed group leaders operating in eastern DR Congo.
These UN sanctions, which also target key figures like John Imani Nzenze (AFC/M23 intelligence chief), Charles Sematama (Twirwaneho military leader), Gustave Kubwayo (FDLR commander), Sébastien Kimenyi (FDLR intelligence), and Muhammed Lumisa (ADF commander), have drawn sharp criticism from the AFC/M23, which labels them selective and discriminatory. The group argues these measures undermine ongoing peace initiatives.
Why now? The timing of sanctions
Professor Bob Kabamba, a political scientist at the University of Liège, Belgium, suggests the timing may be deliberate. He warns that isolating AFC/M23 could complicate peace processes, noting that UN missions have previously collaborated with the group on stabilization efforts.
“It will be challenging for the UN to maintain its field operations while enforcing sanctions against a group it has worked with in conflict resolution and stabilization programs,” Kabamba explains. “This creates a contradiction in the UN’s dual role of mediation and enforcement.”
Professor Julien Mahatma Tazi, an international relations expert at the University of Kinshasa, echoes this view. He believes the timing reflects a strategic balance between diplomacy and accountability.
“The DRC’s international visibility during its Security Council presidency has kept eastern Congo’s crisis in the global spotlight. The sanctions signal that negotiations do not absolve leaders of responsibility for fueling violence,” Tazi states. “They apply pressure on armed group commanders while reinforcing diplomatic efforts.”
Civil society demands swift action
Civil society groups in rebel-held zones, such as Fiston Misona, president of the Walikale Civil Society in North Kivu, express deep concern over the lack of enforcement of past sanctions against Nangaa and others.
“Sanctions are repeatedly ignored, despite their urgency. We urge the UN to ensure these measures are fully applied to all human rights violators in eastern Congo,” Misona asserts. He highlights that Nangaa has faced sanctions from the United States and European Union before, yet violations persist.
The debate now centers on whether these new UN sanctions will finally curb the influence of armed groups or remain symbolic gestures.
