Council Decision (CFSP) 2025/2507 of 8 December 2025 amending Decision 2010/788/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date: 2025-12-08
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: Democratic Republic of the Congo, EU restrictive measure, economic sanctions, international sanctions, natural person








L_202502507EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2025/2507


9.12.2025







            COUNCIL DECISION (CFSP) 2025/2507
         
of 8 December 2025
         
amending Decision 2010/788/CFSP concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo


THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 29 thereof,


Having regard to the proposal from the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy,

Whereas:







(1)


On 20 December 2010, the Council adopted Decision 2010/788/CFSP (1) concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).












(2)


On 12 December 2016, the Council adopted Decision (CFSP) 2016/2231 (2) in response to the obstruction of the electoral process and the related human rights violations in the DRC. Decision (CFSP) 2016/2231 amended Decision 2010/788/CFSP, introducing autonomous restrictive measures in Article 3(2) of Decision 2010/788/CFSP.












(3)


On the basis of a review of the restrictive measures laid down in Article 3(2) of Decision 2010/788/CFSP, and considering the relevant circumstances and in view of the gravity of the situation in the DRC, those measures should be renewed until 12 December 2026.












(4)


Based on updated information, the entries for certain persons listed in Annex II to Decision 2010/788/CFSP should be amended. The entry of one person should be deleted.












(5)


Decision 2010/788/CFSP should therefore be amended accordingly,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
Decision 2010/788/CFSP is amended as follows:






(1)


in Article 9(2), the date ‘12 December 2025’ is replaced by that of ‘12 December 2026’;










(2)


Annex II is amended in accordance with the Annex to this Decision.






Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.




Done at Brussels, 8 December 2025.


For the Council


The President

R. STOKLUND
            





(1)  Council Decision 2010/788/CFSP of 20 December 2010 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (OJ L 336, 21.12.2010, p. 30, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2010/788/oj).

(2)  Council Decision (CFSP) 2016/2231 of 12 December 2016 amending Decision 2010/788/CFSP concerning restrictive measures against the Democratic Republic of the Congo (OJ L 336 I, 12.12.2016, p. 7, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2016/2231/oj).




ANNEX
Annex II to Decision 2010/788/CFSP is amended as follows:






(1)


in Section ‘A. Persons’, entry 41 is deleted;










(2)


in Section ‘A. Persons’, entries 12, 20, 28, 36, 40, 42, 43 and 44 are replaced by the following corresponding entries:









 


Name


Identifying information


Reasons


Date of listing




‘12.


Justin BITAKWIRA


a.k.a. Bihona-Hayi
Position: national deputy, responsible for the Wazalendo in South Kivu
DOB: 5.12.1960
POB: Lemera, DRC
Nationality: DRC
Gender: male
Function or profession: politician, former national minister and president of the Alliance for the Republic and National Consciousness


Justin Bitakwira is a Congolese politician, former government minister and member of the political party “Union for the Congolese Nation”. In February 2025, he was appointed by President Tshisekedi to be responsible for the Wazalendo in South Kivu in the National Parliament.
In his public speeches, he has repeatedly incited violence and encouraged discrimination and hostility towards the Banyamulenge community, which has been targeted and attacked by armed groups.
Those inflammatory speeches and narratives contribute to fuelling the conflict and violence in the DRC, in particular in the Hauts-Plateaux region characterised by inter-communal conflicts.
Justin Bitakwira is therefore responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC, through inciting violence.


8.12.2022




20.


Charles SEMATAMA


a.k.a. Sebanyana
Function/rank: Commander, Military leader of Twirwaneho
DOB: 1975
POB: Kalunyo village, around Kamombo localities, South Kivu, DRC
Nationality: DRC
Gender: male


Charles Sematama is a former officer of the Congolese armed forces (FARDC) and holds the leading position of Commander and Military leader of the non-governmental armed group Twirwaneho operating in South Kivu, which claims to represent the Banyamulenge Community.
Twirwaneho sustains the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC and is responsible for serious human rights abuses in that country, in particular through the voluntary or forced child recruitment to participate actively in hostilities, attacks against civilians and the Congolese armed forces (FARDC), and killings, such as attacks against civilians in Mikenge village in November 2021 which killed at least six persons.
In addition, Charles Sematama has been directly involved in propaganda sessions as well as in the forced recruitment and use of children, including as armed escorts.
Owing to his leading position in Twirwaneho and his direct involvement in the forced recruitment and use of children, Charles Sematama is therefore involved in planning, directing or committing acts that constitute serious human rights violations or abuses in the DRC. He is also responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC.


28.7.2023




28.


Justin Gacheri MUSANGA


a.k.a. Gaceri MUSANGA, CS BRAVO SIERRA, BRAVO THREE
Function/rank: Brigadier-General of the March 23 Movement / Congolese Revolutionary Army (M23/ARC), Commander of the North-West Defence Zone
POB: Masisi, DRC
Gender: male
Father: Erasto Ntibaturana (Hutu customary leader in Busumba)


Justin Gacheri Musanga holds a leading position as Brigadier-General of the M23/ARC, a non-governmental armed group operating in Eastern DRC.
The M23/ARC sustains the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC, in particular through inciting violence. In addition, it is responsible for serious human rights abuses, including killings, attacks and sexual violence against civilians, as well as child recruitment.
Owing to his leading position in the M23/ARC, Justin Gacheri Musanga is therefore involved in planning, directing or committing acts that constitute serious human rights violations or abuses in the DRC. He is also responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC.


26.7.2024




36.


Bertrand BISIMWA


Function/rank: Leader (President) of the political branch of the “Mouvement du 23 mars” (M23)
DOB: 8.9.1972
POB: Bukavu, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Nationality: Congolese
Gender: male


Bertrand Bisimwa holds a leading position as President of the March 23 Movement (M23), a nongovernmental armed movement.
The M23 sustains the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC, in particular through inciting violence and deploying a parallel administration in Eastern DRC, which constitutes a violation of the territorial integrity of the DRC. In addition, it is responsible for serious human rights abuses, including killings of and attacks and sexual violence against civilians, as well as for child recruitment.
Owing to his leading position in the M23, Bertrand Bisimwa is involved in planning, directing or committing acts that constitute serious human rights violations or abuses in the DRC. He is also responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC, especially by contributing to the instalment of parallel administrations in Eastern DRC.


17.3.2025




40.


Eugène NKUBITO


Function/rank: Commander 3rd division (Major General) of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF)
Gender: male
Nationality: Rwandan
RDF Service number: 218


Since June 2023, Major-General Eugène Nkubito has held a leading position as Commander of the 3rd Division of the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF), deployed in eastern DRC and more specifically in the North Kivu province.
The RDF presence in the DRC has as its objective reinforcing the operations of the March 23 Movement/Congolese Revolutionary Army (M23/ARC), a non-governmental armed group operating in Eastern DRC by providing troops and materiel.
The RDF presence constitutes a violation of the territorial integrity of the DRC and sustains the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the region. It is also responsible for serious human rights abuses, including collective punishment, and sustains serious human rights abuses committed by members of M23.
Owing to his commanding role within the 3rd Division of the RDF deployed in eastern DRC, Eugène Nkubito is responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the region.


17.3.2025




42.


Jean-Bosco NZABONIMPA MUPENZI


Function/rank: AFC/M23 Representative for Finance in South Kivu
POB: Rubaya, Masisi, North Kivu
Nationality: Congolese
Gender: male
Associated entities: March 23 Movement/Congolese Revolutionary Army (M23/ARC)


Jean-Bosco Nzabonimpa Mupenzi is the Representative for Finance in South Kivu of the March 23 Movement/Congolese Revolutionary Army (M23/ARC) operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Since January 2024 he operated in the North Kivu province before being appointed in a new position in South Kivu in March 2025.
The M23 is a rebel armed group responsible for the current armed conflict. It also sustains the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the region as well as the serious human rights abuses and violations committed by members of the M23, including killings of and attacks and sexual violence against civilians, as well as child recruitment.
Jean-Bosco Nzabonimpa Mupenzi provides support to the M23 armed group, in particular by ensuring the management of the M23 Finances and Production department, as well as taking part in the training of new recruits.
Owing to his leading position within the M23, Jean-Bosco Nzabonimpa Mupenzi is involved in planning, directing or committing acts that constitute serious human rights violations or abuses in the DRC. He is also responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC.


17.3.2025




43.


Francis KAMANZI


Function/rank: Director-General of the Rwanda Cooperative Agency, former Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB)
Nationality: Rwandan
Gender: male


Francis Kamanzi held a leading position as Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) from February 2024 to July 2025, when he was appointed Director-General of the Rwanda Cooperative Agency (“RCA”). The RCA falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Trade and Industry. One of the main responsibilities of the RCA is to regulate and supervise cooperative organisations. Among them, 141 cooperatives operate in the mining sector, the main export revenue-earning sector of Rwanda. Therefore, Francis Kamanzi is still involved in the exploitation or trading of natural resources.
Minerals continue to be exploited in mining areas controlled by the March 23 Movement (M23) and trafficked to Rwanda for the benefit of both the Alliance Fleuve Congo/M23 and the Rwandan economy, where these conflict minerals are mixed with Rwandan production.
Owing to his formerly leading position in the RMB and his position of Director-General of the RCA, Francis Kamanzi is responsible for exploiting the armed conflict, instability or insecurity in the DRC, including through the illicit exploitation or trading of natural resources.


17.3.2025




44.


Joseph MUSANGA BAHATI


a.k.a.
“Erasto”; “Bahati Erasto”; “Colonel Erasto”; “Colonel Bahati Musanga”
Function/rank: Governor of North Kivu
DOB: 18.8.1978
POB: Bashali-Mokoto (Busumba)
Nationality: Congolese
Gender: male
Associated entities: March 23 Movement/Alliance Fleuve Congo (M23/AFC)


Joseph Musanga Bahati is a senior figure in the structure of the March 23 Movement (M23) rebel group and within the Alliance Fleuve Congo. He has held the position of Chief of Finance of the M23 for several years.
In February 2025, he was designated governor of North Kivu within the new illegal “administration” imposed by the M23 in violation of Congolese sovereignty.
The deployment of a parallel administration in the DRC constitutes a violation of the territorial integrity of the DRC. It also sustains the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the region as well as the serious human rights abuses and violations committed by members of the M23.
Owing to his leading position in the M23, Joseph Musanga Bahati is involved in planning, directing or committing acts that constitute serious human rights violations or abuses in the DRC. He is also responsible for sustaining the armed conflict, instability and insecurity in the DRC.


17.3.2025’











ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2507/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)