UN Sanctions Corneille Nangaa, AFC and Armed Group Leaders

The United Nations Security Council has added six individuals and two armed groups to its Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions list, expanding international pressure on figures accused of undermining peace and security in the country.

The new listings were approved on 14 July 2026 by the Security Council Committee established under Resolution 1533. The measures apply under Chapter VII of the UN Charter and include targeted restrictions such as asset freezes and travel bans.

Among those sanctioned are Alliance Fleuve Congo leader Corneille Nangaa, M23 intelligence chief John Imani Nzenze, senior figures linked to the FDLR and ADF, and the commander of the Twirwaneho armed group.

The UN also added two entities to the list: the Alliance Fleuve Congo, commonly known as AFC, and Twirwaneho.

Corneille Nangaa and AFC added to UN sanctions list

Corneille Nangaa Yobeluo was listed in his role as leader of the Alliance Fleuve Congo, a politico-military movement allied with the already sanctioned March 23 Movement, or M23.

The UN sanctions notice identifies AFC as a movement operating in eastern DRC and records its establishment in 2023.

Nangaa, a former president of the DRC’s electoral commission, later became the political leader of AFC, which works in alliance with M23.

The addition of both Nangaa and AFC marks a significant escalation in international action against the coalition.

M23 intelligence chief John Imani Nzenze sanctioned