UN Security Council sanctions on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (resolution 1533)
- Committee set up
- Resolution 1533 (2004), 12 March 2004 1
- Arms embargo first imposed
- Resolution 1493 (2003), 28 July 2003 1
- Measures
- Arms embargo, travel ban, asset freeze, transport and customs measures 1
- DRC Government
- Outside the arms embargo since resolution 1807 (2008) of 31 March 2008 1
How the regime developed
The committee's page sets out the main steps. Each row below comes from it, apart from the 2026 renewal 1,6.
| Resolution | What it did |
|---|---|
| 1493 (2003), 28 July 2003 1 | Imposed the arms embargo 1 |
| 1533 (2004), 12 March 2004 1 | Set up the sanctions committee 1 |
| 1596 (2005) 1 | Extended the embargo to any recipient in DRC territory and added the travel ban and asset freeze 1 |
| 1807 (2008), 31 March 2008 1 | Stopped the arms embargo from applying to the DRC Government 1 |
| 2293 (2016) 1 | Set the overarching designation criterion in paragraph 7 1 |
| 2667 (2022), 20 December 2022 1 | Ended the requirement to notify the committee of arms shipments to the DRC 1 |
| 2738 (2024) 1 | Reaffirmed the end of that notification requirement 1 |
| 2825 (2026), 29 June 2026 6,7 | Renewed the regime to 1 July 2027 and the Group of Experts to 1 August 2027 6,7 |
The measures
The arms embargo applies to "all non-governmental entities and individuals operating in the territory of the DRC" 1. It does not apply to the Government 1. The travel ban stops designated persons entering or passing through the territory of member states 1. The asset freeze covers the funds and economic resources of designated persons and entities 1.
| Measure | Exemptions set out in |
|---|---|
| Arms embargo 1 | Paragraphs 2 and 3 of resolution 2293 (2016) 1 |
| Travel ban 1 | Paragraphs 13 and 14 of resolution 1596 (2005), paragraph 3 of resolution 1649 (2005), paragraph 10 of resolution 1807 (2008) and paragraph 10 of resolution 2078 (2012) 1 |
| Asset freeze 1 | Paragraph 16 of resolution 1596 (2005) and paragraph 12 of resolution 1807 (2008) 1 |
| Transport and customs measures 1 | No exemptions 1 |
Who can be listed
The overarching criterion, in paragraph 7 of resolution 2293 (2016), is "Engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the DRC" 1. Specific criteria cover acts such as violating the arms embargo, recruiting children in armed conflict and obstructing humanitarian assistance 1. Resolutions 2360 (2017), 2582 (2021) and 2641 (2022) added further criteria 1.
Resolution 2825 (2026) added a criterion for armed groups that obstruct the mandate of the UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO), including by "denying access, restricting freedom of movement or obstructing patrols and surveillance activities" 6.
The list and the July 2026 additions
The committee publishes a narrative summary for each listed name. On 20 October 2026 those pages showed 50 individual entries, the highest numbered CDi.050, and 11 entity entries, the highest numbered CDe.011 2,3 4. The dates on those pages are labelled "Posted on", which is not always the date of listing 4.
Security Council Report, an independent organisation, wrote that France, the United Kingdom and the United States proposed in May 2026 to add six individuals and two entities, and that Russia reportedly placed a hold on the proposal 7. On 14 July 2026 the committee announced that it had added six individuals and two entities 5.
- Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo (CDi.045), described by the committee as leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo 5
- Sebastien Uwimbabazi (CDi.046) 5
- Muhammed Lumisa (CDi.047) 5
- Charles Sematama (CDi.048) 5
- John Imani Nzenze (CDi.049) 5
- Gustave Kubwayo (CDi.050) 5
- Alliance Fleuve Congo, AFC (CDe.010) 5
- Twirwaneho (CDe.011) 5
The 2026 renewal vote
The Council adopted resolution 2825 (2026) unanimously on 29 June 2026 6,7. The UN meeting summary says the resolution addresses the role of illicit exploitation of natural resources in financing armed groups 6. It calls on all states, especially those in the region, to cooperate with the Group of Experts 6.
France, which drafted the text, welcomed the new criteria 6. China said the regional situation could not be attributed to resource exploitation alone 6. The United States called for prosecutions of traffickers 6. Liberia, speaking for itself, the DRC and Somalia, welcomed the reaffirmation that the measures do not apply to the DRC Government 6.
Common questions
Does the UN arms embargo apply to the DRC Government?
No. Resolution 1807 (2008), adopted on 31 March 2008, stopped the embargo applying to the Government 1. It covers non-governmental entities and individuals in DRC territory 1.
Who was added to the UN DRC sanctions list in 2026?
On 14 July 2026 the committee added six individuals, including Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo, and two entities, the Alliance Fleuve Congo and Twirwaneho 5.
Who supports the 1533 committee?
The Group of Experts on the DRC supports the committee 1. Its mandate runs to 1 August 2027 6,7.
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Sources
- UN Security Council: Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo (accessed 20 October 2026)
- UN Security Council 1533 Committee: Narrative summaries of reasons for listing, page 1 (accessed 20 October 2026)
- UN Security Council 1533 Committee: Narrative summaries of reasons for listing, page 2 (accessed 20 October 2026)
- UN Security Council 1533 Committee: Narrative summaries of reasons for listing, page 3 (accessed 20 October 2026)
- UN press release SC/16416: Security Council 1533 Sanctions Committee Adds Six Individuals and Two Entities to Its Sanctions List (14 July 2026)
- UN press release SC/16403: Security Council 10188th meeting, adoption of resolution 2825 (2026) (29 June 2026)
- Security Council Report: Democratic Republic of the Congo, Vote on a Draft Resolution Renewing the Sanctions Regime (28 June 2026)
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