Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, the coordinator of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC), an ally of the M23 rebel movement, is among six leaders of armed groups sanctioned by the United Nations (UN) Security Council over their alleged role in fueling the conflict in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
The other sanctioned individuals are John Imani Nzenze, the M23’s chief of intelligence; Sébastien Uwimbabazi of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Rwandan rebel group accused of involvement in the 1994 Rwanda genocide; Muhammed Lumisa of the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF), which has been blamed for attacks in eastern DRC and Uganda; Charles Sematama of the Twirwaneho rebel group, largely made up of members of the Banyamulenge community and accused of collaborating with M23 and Gustave Kubwayo of the FDLR-Abacunguzi Fighting Forces (FDLR-FOCA).
In a statement issued on Friday, the Security Council said the six were sanctioned for their involvement in serious human rights abuses, including atrocities against civilians and the recruitment and use of child soldiers.
The measures imposed include an arms embargo, an asset freeze, and a travel ban. By the time of publication, none of the sanctioned individuals had publicly commented on the decision, except the AFC/M23 leadership. Lawrence Kanyuka, spokesperson for the AFC/M23, said the movement had taken note of the Security Council’s decision but described the sanctions as “selective and discriminatory.”
In a statement, AFC-M23 said it remains committed to the ongoing peace negotiations and will continue to respect the ceasefire, provided it is not attacked by coalition forces aligned with the Kinshasa government. The group added that it will issue its official position on the sanctions in the coming days.The latest UN sanctions follow similar measures taken by the United States. In June 2026, Washington sanctioned John Imani Nzenze and Gustave Kubwayo, citing their alleged roles in the conflict in eastern DRC.
Earlier, in July 2024, the United States imposed sanctions on Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo and Colonel Charles Sematama, the deputy military commander of the Twirwaneho militia in South Kivu, which is affiliated with the AFC. U.S. authorities accused the two of participating in armed operations against the Congolese government. URN