U.S. and U.N. Target M23 Commander with Sanctions

From Enough blogs Thu Nov 15 2012, 18:33:22

The U.S. Treasury Department announced its move to add top M23 commander Sultani Makenga to its list of Congolese warlords under sanctions for their role in stoking violence in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Makenga is the first militia member newly targeted with U.S. sanctions since M23 fighters split off from the Congolese army in April; however, M23 leader Bosco Ntaganda has be on the U.S. government's Specially Designated Nationals List since 2010.

"Sultani Makenga is responsible for extensive atrocities against the population in the DRC, including the recruitment of child soldiers, and campaigns of violence against civilians," said Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Director Adam J. Szubin in a statement on Tuesday. "Today's action reflects the international community's commitment to resolving the ongoing crisis in the region."

According to OFAC rules, any assets Makenga owns in the United States are frozen, and Americans are barred from conducting transactions with him. The United Nations also added Makenga to its sanctions list on November 12, barring him from traveling outside Congo.

Congolese government spokesman Lambert Mende said the move was "a good start," but noted, "Sultani did not invent this pseudo-mutiny in the east, [but remains] an instrument behind much wrongdoing," according to Agence-France Presse.

[view whole blog post ]
 See More    |     Report Abuse


You might also be interested in the following news stories:

Afrique de l'Ouest:  Crise du constitutionnalisme ? (analysis)
allAfrica.com
28 Mars 2024

L’Afrique de l’Ouest est aujourd’hui traversée par une vague de « contestations » ouverte ou diffuse, violente ou non violente des pratiques ... [read more]

Uganda:  Bobi Wine Suspends Party's Deputy President Mpuuga (news)
Nile Post
29 Mars 2024

The leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Robert Kyagulanyi, alias Bobi Wine, has suspended Mathias Mpuuga from his position as Deputy President Central Region with immediate effect. "In ... [read more]

Ethiopia:  From Shadows to Spotlight - Why Ethiopia Became Latest Scene for Cryptocurrency Rush (news)
Addis Standard
29 Mars 2024

In the heart of East Africa, a surprising powerhouse is rising in the world of cryptocurrency. Ethiopia, long overlooked in the tech world, is suddenly capturing global attention as a powerhouse on ... [read more]



blogAfrica is allAfrica.com's platform to help you keep an ear on the African blogosphere. We draw diverse voices from around the world who post regularly and insightfully about African issues. Bloggers, submit your blog's rss-feed!