Democratic Republic of the Congo-Security Council Sanctions Renewal

Based on the UNSC briefing report

On 30 June, the UN Security Council is set to vote on a draft resolution aimed at renewing the sanctions regime on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) established under Resolution 1533. This renewal will extend sanctions until 1 July 2026 and prolong the mandate of the Group of Experts assisting the 1533 DRC Sanctions Committee until 1 August 2026.

Contextual Background and Security Developments

In early May, the Group of Experts delivered its latest detailed report to the 1533 Sanctions Committee, highlighting significant deterioration in the security landscape of eastern DRC, notably due to the expansion of the M23 rebel movement. The report specifically notes M23’s rapid territorial gains in North and South Kivu provinces, supported allegedly by the Rwandan Defence Force (RDF). M23’s expansion has facilitated control over strategic, resource-rich areas, allowing them to establish parallel governance structures.

The Congolese government’s response has heavily depended on proxy militias, including the Wazalendo and the FDLR, the latter historically linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Additionally, Kinshasa is expediting the incorporation of militia fighters into its formal military structure, the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC), to confront M23 forces.

Human rights violations remain pervasive, with allegations targeting not only M23 but also the FARDC and allied militia groups. Additionally, significant abuses perpetrated by other armed groups such as CODECO in Ituri province have been extensively documented.

Regionally, tensions have increased due to Uganda’s unilateral troop deployments to North Kivu and Ituri, bypassing existing defence cooperation agreements with the DRC government. Burundi's military mobilization and Rwanda's ongoing support for M23 near Burundian borders have further escalated regional tensions.

In response to these dynamics, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2773 in February, explicitly condemning M23’s military offensive and demanding immediate cessation of hostilities, withdrawal from occupied territories, and the dismantling of parallel structures. The resolution specifically demanded that Rwanda withdraw RDF troops from Congolese territory, cease support to M23, and called on the Congolese government to halt support to the FDLR militia. However, anticipated additional sanctions have not yet been specified due to ongoing diplomatic talks mediated by the United States between Rwanda and the DRC.

Negotiation Dynamics and Resolution Drafting

France circulated an initial draft of the sanction’s renewal resolution to Security Council members on 20 June, with formal negotiations commencing on 24 June. Following preliminary discussions, a revised draft underwent two rounds of "silence procedures" to finalize consensus. The first procedure encountered opposition from the "A3 Plus" (Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Guyana), China, and Russia, leading to further amendments. The second procedure successfully concluded on 27 June.

Key negotiating positions emerged during the discussions. The A3 Plus group, China, and Russia preferred a straightforward renewal without substantial revisions. In contrast, other members, notably France, the UK, and the US (P3), sought explicit inclusion of recent developments, such as the escalation in eastern DRC, Resolution 2773, and the recent DRC-Rwanda peace agreement.

Ultimately, a balanced compromise emerged: detailed provisions from Resolution 2773 were omitted in favour of general language urging its full implementation, while references to the peace agreement were broadly worded to acknowledge progress toward a lasting resolution.

The United States tried but failed to get clear wording condemning M23's illegal taxes and financial disruptions. Instead, there was a general agreement to express worries about M23's exploitation of resources, unfair taxes, and extortion that hurt civilians.

Despite some resistance, language addressing sexual and gender-based violence remained intact, strongly supported by Denmark, Greece, the Republic of Korea, Slovenia, and the UK. Additionally, Slovenia’s recommendation to reference Resolution 2744, which strengthened sanctions delisting procedures, was included.

The upcoming Security Council vote is expected to approve these negotiated terms, signalling continued international commitment to addressing security threats in eastern DRC and mitigating ongoing regional instability.