Imposing Sanctions on Coalition of Armed Groups in the DRC

The United States is today sanctioning the Congo River Alliance, known by its French name Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), a coalition of armed groups driving violent conflict and civilian displacement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). We are also designating individuals and entities associated with AFC.

AFC and its affiliates - including the U.S.- and UN-designated, Rwanda-backed M23 group - have called for the overthrow of the Government of the DRC and used violence to achieve this political goal, resulting in serious violations of international law that have exacerbated a humanitarian crisis in eastern DRC. The United States condemns the displacement of civilians in North Kivu and encirclement of its provincial capital, Goma, and the human rights abuses committed by M23 in Masisi, Rutshuru, and Nyiragongo territories.

The United States has long sought to hold accountable those actors harming civilians and creating instability in eastern DRC. Today's measures are intended to support a DRC that is peaceful, prosperous, and sovereign. We remain committed to supporting regional peace processes, including the Angola-led Luanda process and East African Community-led Nairobi process, which seek to create the conditions to end the hostilities.

The Department of the Treasury's actions today were taken pursuant to Executive Order 13413, "Blocking Property of Certain Persons Contributing to the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," as amended. For more information on today's action, see Treasury's press release.