In 2008, the EU decided an arms embargo towards the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Financial sanctions were as well targeted towards persons or entities for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the DRC. Such acts include: (a) acting in violation of the arms embargo and related measures, (b) being political and military leaders of foreign armed groups operating in the DRC who impede the disarmament and the voluntary repatriation or resettlement of combatants belonging to those groups, (c) being political and military leaders of Congolese militias, including those receiving support from outside the DRC, who impede the participation of their combatants in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration processes, (d) recruiting or using children in armed conflict in the DRC in violation of applicable international law, (e) being involved in planning, directing, or committing acts in the DRC that constitute human rights violations or abuses or violations of international humanitarian law, as applicable, including those acts involving the targeting of civilians, including killing and maiming, rape and other sexual violence, abduction, forced displacement, and attacks on schools and hospitals, (f) obstructing the access to or the distribution of humanitarian assistance in the DRC and (g) supporting persons or entities, including armed groups or criminal networks, involved in destabilising activities in the DRC through the illicit exploitation of or trade in natural resources, including gold, or wildlife or wildlife products;

Restrictive measures

Trade sanctions: Restricted products and transactions

Defence-related products
There is an arms embargo for export, technical assistance, brokering and financial assistance. Some exceptions apply.

Financial sanctions: Listed persons & entities, restricted services

There are currently 53 persons and 9 entities on the list of people whose funds and economic resources are frozen.

Other sanctions

EU Member States must prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of the listed persons.

To go further

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Legal texts

Council Decision 2010/788/CFSP of 20 December 2010 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Council Regulation (EC) No 1183/2005 of 18 July 2005 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Related information

Human Rights Watch - Congo (Democratic Republic of). Human Rights Watch investigates and reports on abuses happening in all corners of the world.