MFA sanctions six individuals and two entities in DR Congo

On October 9, 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs promulgated Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notice No. 317, adding six individuals and two entities to the designation of persons, etc., who have violated the arms embargo and other measures against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The designation is based on information issued on July 16, 2026, by the Committee of the Security Council established pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1533. The added persons shall be subject to measures such as travel restrictions and asset freezes based on United Nations Security Council resolutions.

The notice amends the annex to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notice No. 1101 of 2005 (Matter concerning the designation of persons, etc., who have violated the arms embargo and other measures against the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and was promulgated in the name of Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi. Numbers 45 through 50 were added to A. Individuals, and numbers 10 and 11 were added to B. Entities in the annex. The UN list publication date for all additions is stated as July 14, 2026.

Names and UN Reference Numbers of the Six Additionally Designated Individuals

Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo (CORNEILLE NANGAA YOBELUO, UN Reference Number CDi. 045): Leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) (CDe. 010). Date of birth: July 9, 1970; place of birth: Bagboya, Haut-Uele Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Democratic Republic of the Congo passports OP1097934, DP0000149, DP0003850.
Sebastien Uwimbabazi (SEBASTIEN UWIMBABAZI, CDi. 046): Brigadier General and leader of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR) (CDe. 005). Date of birth: 1968; place of birth: Rwanda.
Muhammed Lumisa (MUHAMMED LUMISA, CDi. 047): Commander, physician, and head of external logistics for the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) (CDe. 001). Date of birth: between 1959 and 1965; place of birth: Kampala District, Uganda.
Charles Sematama (CHARLES SEMATAMA, CDi. 048): Colonel, commander and military leader of Twirwaneho (CDe. 011). Date of birth: 1975.
John Imani Nzenze (JOHN IMANI NZENZE, CDi. 049): Colonel, head of the intelligence department of M23 (CDe. 006). Date of birth: August 6, 1978.
Gustave Kubwayo (GUSTAVE KUBWAYO, CDi. 050): Colonel, commander of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda-Combatant Forces for the Abakunguzi (FDLR-FOCA) (CDe. 005). Date of birth: 1969; place of birth: Rwanda.

The Two Additionally Designated Entities and Their Nature

Alliance Fleuve Congo (ALLIANCE FLEUVE CONGO (AFC), CDe. 010): Located in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. Established in 2023.
Twirwaneho (TWIRWANEHO, CDe. 011): Located in Hauts Plateaux, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Formed between 2008 and early 2010, it is alleged to have been involved in the killing of civilians and the recruitment of children.

Grounds for Designation and UN Procedures

The notification is based on information from the Committee established pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1533. The Committee issued information dated July 16, 2026, and in response, the Government of Japan amended the appended table as a domestic measure. Each designated entity/individual is provided with a web link to the INTERPOL (International Criminal Police Organization) / UN Security Council Special Notice, explicitly indicating coordination with international warrants.

Practical Responses to be Verified by Financial Institutions and Logistics Operators in Japan

Measures such as travel restrictions and asset freezes directly affect domestic financial institutions, logistics operators, and trade-related parties involved in transactions or asset management with the designated parties. It is necessary to promptly cross-reference names, aliases, passport numbers, dates of birth, and UN reference numbers against existing customers and business partners. As aliases may include those that are not sufficiently definitive, the combined use of multiple identifiers is required to identify the same individual.

With this additional designation, the leadership of AFC, M23, ADF, and FDLR-affiliated forces operating in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo has been incorporated into Japan’s sanctions framework. Regardless of whether there are assets or transactions in Japan, the immediate practical focus will be on verifying related parties and maintaining records.

Official Sources

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notification No. 317 (Promulgated October 9, 2026, Minister for Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi)
Subject of Amendment: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notification No. 1101 of 2005 “Designation of Persons who have Violated the Arms Embargo and Other Measures against the Democratic Republic of the Congo”
Basis: Information dated July 16, 2026, from the Committee established pursuant to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1533
UN Reference Numbers: CDi. 045, CDi. 046, CDi. 047, CDi. 048, CDi. 049, CDi. 050, CDe. 010, CDe. 011