EU/US: Sanction Senior DR Congo Officials
| Publisher | International Federation for Human Rights |
| Author | Ida Sawyer |
| Publication Date | 9 December 2016 |
| Cite as | International Federation for Human Rights, EU/US: Sanction Senior DR Congo Officials, 9 December 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/584ab3f24.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Ten days before the December 19, 2016, deadline marking the end of President Joseph Kabila's constitutionally mandated two-term limit, he still has not made any clear commitment on when or even if he will step down. At the same time, government repression against pro-democracy activists, the political opposition, largely peaceful protesters, and the media has intensified at an alarming rate.
Opposition leaders and pro-democracy activists have called for Congolese to take to the streets if President Kabila stays in office beyond his mandate. Past protests suggest that they will be met by security forces quick to use excessive and lethal force. There are risks that political leaders could mobilize the dozens of armed groups active in eastern Congo for political ends, or that the country's brittle security forces could fracture if Kabila relies on force to stay in power. This raises concerns that the country could descend into further repression or widespread violence and chaos, with potentially volatile repercussions across the region.
Earlier targeted sanctions imposed by the US on three security force officers at the forefront of violence against protesters had a notable deterrent effect and rattled those implicated, the organizations said. The US should impose targeted sanctions against more senior level officials.
In October, the EU Foreign Ministers stated that the EU would "use all means at its disposal" against individuals responsible for serious human rights violations, who promote violence, or who "obstruct a consensual and peaceful solution to the crisis." In November, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the EU to urgently implement targeted sanctions. The EU is due to discuss Congo and possibly move forward with targeted sanctions during its next Foreign Affairs Council meeting on December 12.
Such targeted sanctions could include travel bans, asset freezes, and the blocking of bank accounts and financial transactions linked to the individuals.
