EU Imposes Restrictive Measures on 8 More Individuals Due to Situation in Democratic Republic of the Congo

According to the Council, such a decision has been taken in light of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and it has been highlighted that the existing restrictive measures have been renewed for one year, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

Five of the eight individuals that have been added to the list of people subject to restrictive measures were members of armed groups. The list also includes a Congolese politician, a member of the Congolese army, as well as a Belgian businessman.

The Council has explained that most of these people against which restrictive measures have been imposed are responsible for sustaining the armed conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and for serious human rights abuses and violations.

In addition, the Council noted that others have been listed for exploiting the conflict and encouraging violence.

Apart from the eight individuals that have been added to the list of people subject to restrictive measures, another nine were already part of the list. Those that are part of the list are subject to a travel ban, which means that they are not permitted to enter the Member States of the European Union.

Moreover, they are also subject to an asset freeze, meaning that citizens of the EU as well as companies are prohibited from making funds available to them.

According to the Council, the decision to impose restrictive measures on additional eight individuals was taken in the context of the integrated approach of the European Union in support of the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s efforts to build peace as well as stabilise the country’s Eastern part.

“It [the decision to impose restrictive measures against eight additional individuals] signals the EU’s active engagement towards the Great Lakes region, with a view to contributing to addressing the root causes of insecurity and transforming them into opportunities for the countries in the region and their populations,” the Council added.

The Council has said that it will continue monitoring the situation and impose measures on additional people if necessary.

The EU adopted restrictive measures in light of the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the first time in 2016 and since then it has been adding people and extending the measures for those responsible for human rights violations.