The European Union is poised to impose sanctions on nine individuals linked to the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as reported by two EU diplomats on Friday.
The identities of those to be sanctioned have not been disclosed, adhering to the protocol of keeping such information confidential until the sanctions receive official approval. EU foreign ministers are anticipated to endorse these sanctions in Brussels next Monday.
Since January, the M23 rebel group has taken control of the two largest cities in eastern Congo, marking a significant escalation in a protracted conflict that traces its origins to the aftermath of Rwanda’s 1994 genocide and the competition for Congo’s extensive mineral wealth.
Currently, the Congolese government is deliberating on whether to send representatives to peace negotiations with the M23 group, which Angola is set to host next week, according to government sources on Thursday.
Rwanda has been accused of supporting the Tutsi-led M23 rebels, a claim it has denied.
Last month, the EU summoned Rwanda’s ambassador, urging the nation to “immediately withdraw” its troops from Congolese territory and to “cease support for the M23 and any other armed groups.”
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EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has indicated that the 27-member bloc will reassess its agreement with Rwanda regarding critical raw materials due to the country’s connections with the M23 rebels. Rwanda continues to deny allegations of supplying arms and troops to the M23.
The Congolese government has reported that at least 7,000 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict since January, with the U.N. humanitarian affairs office noting that over 600,000 people have been displaced since November.
