Moanda Oil Terminal

Restrictions & Sanctions

United Nations Security Council Resolutions on Congo, Democratic Republic of

UNSC Resolution 1493 (2003) dated 28 July 2003 imposed a partial arms embargo directing all states to take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer, from their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and any related materiel, and the provision of any assistance, advice or training related to military activities, to all foreign and Congolese armed groups and militias operating in the territory of North and South Kivu and of Ituri, and to groups not party to the Global and All-inclusive agreement, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Exempt from the embargo were supplies to MONUC, the Interim Emergency Multinational Force deployed in Bunia and the integrated Congolese national army and police forces and the supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance and training as notified in advance to the Secretary-General through its Special Representative.

UNSC Resolution 1596 (2005) dated 18 April 2005 imposed a complete arms embargo, together with a travel ban and assets freeze on those violating the embargo.

UNSC Resolution 1698 (2006) dated 31 July 2006 extended the arms embargo until the end of July 2007.

UNSC Resolution 1771 (2007) dated 10 August 2007 extended the arms embargo until 15 February 2008.

UNSC Resolution 1807 (2008) dated 31 March 2008 decided, for a further period ending on 31 December 2008, that all States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer, from their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and any related materiel, and the provision of any assistance, advice or training related to military activities, including financing and financial assistance, to all non-governmental entities and individuals operating in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Furthermore, that the measures on arms shall no longer apply to the supply, sale or transfer of arms and related materiel, and the provision of any assistance, advice or training related to military activities to the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

In addition the embargo shall not apply to:

(a) Supplies of arms and related materiel as well as technical training and assistance intended solely for support of or use by the United Nations Organization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUC);

(b) Protective clothing, including flack jackets and military helmets, temporarily exported to the Democratic Republic of the Congo by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media and humanitarian and development workers and associated personnel, for their personal use only;

(c) Other supplies of non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use, and related technical assistance and training, as notified in advance to the sanctions committee.

UNSC Resolution 1857(2008) dated 22 December 2008 renewed the arms embargo until 30 November 2009.

UNSC Resolution 1896 (2009) dated 30 November 2009 renewed the arms embargo until 30 November 2010.

UNSC Resolution 1952 (2010) dated 29 November 2010 renewed the arms embargo until 30 November 2011.

UNSC Resolution 2021 (2011) dated 29 November 2011 renewed the arms embargo until 30 November 2012.

UNSC Resolution 2078 (2012) dated 28 November 2012 renewed the arms embargo until 1 February 2014.

UNSC Resolution 2360 (2017) dated 21 June 2017 reaffirmed the provisions of paragraphs 7 to 9 of resolution 2021 (2011) and calls upon the DRC and States in the Great Lakes region to cooperate at the regional level and require their customs authorities to strengthen their control on exports and imports of mineral from the DRC.

European Union Regulations on Democratic Republic of Congo

Council Decision 2010/788/CFSP of 20 December 2010 (effective 23 December 2011) outlines the current sanctions which includes:

an embargo on arms and related material against non-governmental entities and individuals operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
a ban on the provision of certain services (exclusion of governmental entities and individuals)
the freezing of funds and economic resources of designated entities
travel restrictions on designated entities

The list of designated entities has been amended by various Commission Regulations.