Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Security Council first imposed an arms embargo on all foreign and Congolese armed groups and militias operating in the territory of North and South Kivu and Ituri, and on groups not party to the Global and All-inclusive agreement in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) on 28 July 2003 with the adoption of resolution 1493 (2003). The sanctions regime was subsequently modified and strengthened with the adoption of resolutions 1533 (2004), 1596 (2005), 1649 (2005) 1698 (2006) , 1807 (2008) and 1857 (2008) which extended the scope of the arms embargo to the entire DRC territory, imposed additional targeted sanctions measures (travel ban and an assets freeze), and broadened the criteria under which individuals and entities could be designated as subject to those measures. The Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo was established on 12 March 2004 to oversee the relevant sanctions measures and to undertake the tasks set out by the Security Council in paragraph 15 of resolution 1807 (2008) and paragraph 6 of resolution 1857 (2008). The current sanctions regime most recently renewed with the adoption of resolution 1857 (2008) expires on 30 November 2009.

Since March 2008 the arms embargo has been further modified and only applies to all non-governmental entities and individuals operating in eastern DRC, however, pursuant to paragraph 5 of resolution 1807 all States are under an obligation to notify in advance to the Committee regarding any shipment of arms and related materiel for the DRC, or any provision of assistance, advice or training related to military activities in the DRC, except those referred to in subparagraphs (a) and (b) of paragraph 3 of the resolution, and are encouraged to include in , such notifications all relevant information, including, where appropriate, the end-user, the proposed date of delivery and the itinerary of shipments.

The Sanctions Committee is supported by a Group of Experts, appointed by the Secretary-General to monitor the implementation of the sanctions regime with particular focus on North and South Kivu and Ituri. The Group of Experts was originally established by resolution 1533 (2004) and subsequently renewed by resolutions 1552 (2004), 1596 (2005), 1616 (2005), 1654 (2006), 1698 (2006), 1771 (2007), 1807 (2008) and 1857 (2008). Pursuant to resolution 1857 (2008) the Group of Experts is due to report to the Security Council, in writing and through the Committee by 15 May 2009 and before 15 October 2009. The reports of the Group of Experts can be accessed here.

By resolutions 1856 (2008) and 1857 (2008), the Security Council requested the United Nations Mission in the DRC (MONUC) to monitor the implementation of the measures imposed by paragraph 1 of resolution 1807 (2008), in cooperation with the Group of Experts, and exchange information with the Group of Experts on arms shipments, illegal trafficking of natural resources, support to armed groups as well as in particular on child recruitment and human rights abuses targeting women and children.

Measure Description (unofficial) Exceptions to the measure
Arms Embargo, paragraph 1 of resolution 1807 (2008), as renewed by paragraph 1 of  resolution 1857 (2008) All States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer, from their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft, of arms and any related materiel, and the provision of any assistance, advice or training related to military activities, including financing and financial assistance, to all non-governmental entities and individuals operating in the territory of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Set out in paragraphs 2 and 3 of resolution 1807 (2008)
Travel ban, paragraphs 9 and 13 of resolution 1807 (2008), as renewed by paragraph 3 of resolution 1857 (2008)

 All States shall take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of individuals designated by the Committee on the basis of the criteria listed below. Set out in paragraph 10 of resolution 1807 (2008)
Assets freeze, paragraphs 11 and 13 of resolution 1807 (2008), as renewed by paragraph 3 of resolution 1857 (2008)


 All States shall freeze the funds, other financial assets and economic resources owned or controlled by individuals and entities designated by the Committee on the basis of the criteria set out above for the travel ban. Set out in paragraph 12 of resolution 1807 (2008)
Criteria for designation by the Sanctions Committee


 1) persons and entities acting in violation of the arms embargo; 2) political and military leaders of foreign armed groups operating in the DRC, or Congolese militias receiving support from abroad, who impede the process of disarmament, demobilization, repatriation, resettlement, and reintegration;  3) political and military leaders recruiting or using child-soldiers, and to individuals violating international law involving the targeting of children; 4) individuals operating in the DRC and committing serious violations of international law involving the targeting of children or women in situations of armed conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction and forced displacement; 5) individuals obstructing the access to or the distribution of humanitarian assistance in the eastern part of the DRC; and6) individuals or entities supporting the illegal armed Groups in the eastern part of the DRC through the illicit trade of natural resources.  

States implement the travel ban and assets freeze measures in connection with individuals and entities included in the consolidated travel ban and assets freeze list, which is maintained and regularly updated by the Committee.

The current Chairman of the Committee, for the period ending 31 December 2009, is His Excellency Mr. Baki İlkin (Turkey). The two Vice-Chairs for 2009 are Costa Rica and Viet Nam. The Committee publishes annual reports of its activities. The latest news on the Committee’s work can be found here. For other selected documents click here.

Formal and informal meetings of the Committee are announced in the Journal of the United Nations.