The United Nations has imposed sanctions on the Front for National Refoundation (FRN), a politico-military movement led by former Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila Kabange. This development follows a modification made by the Security Council Committee established by Resolution 1533 to the entry for the Alliance Fleuve Congo (AFC) on the sanctions list. The Committee has added the FRN as an alias for the AFC.
The French government, led by President Emmanuel Macron, has welcomed the UN's decision to designate the FRN under the 1533 sanctions regime. In a statement, Pascal Confavreux, spokesperson for the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, expressed France's support for the move. He emphasized France's commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The French government has reiterated its engagement to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2773 by all parties involved. The resolution aims to promote peace and stability in the region. France has also called on all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities, adopt an effective and verifiable ceasefire, and implement their commitments under the Washington Agreement, the Doha Framework Agreement, and the African Union mediation.
The UN's decision to impose sanctions on the FRN comes amid a deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The region has been plagued by ongoing aggression from Rwanda, hostilities, and the transformation of the AFC/M23 rebellion into the FRN, led by Joseph Kabila. Large areas of the North Kivu and South Kivu provinces remain occupied.
The situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo remains a concern, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. The French government has expressed its concern over the lack of progress in diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the crisis between Kinshasa and Kigali, as well as the crisis between Kinshasa and the AFC/M23, now known as the FRN.
The UN Security Council had previously extended the sanctions regime applicable to the Democratic Republic of Congo until July 1, 2027, and renewed the mandate of the Group of Experts tasked with monitoring its implementation. The situation in the region continues to be a priority for the international community, with France reaffirming its commitment to supporting peace and stability in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Key points
- The French government welcomes the UN's designation of Joseph Kabila's FRN under the 1533 sanctions regime.
- France reaffirms its commitment to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
- The UN's decision aims to promote peace and stability in the region, amid a deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
