Charles Sematama

Congo (Democratic Republic)

Deputy Commander of the Twirwaneho

Kalunyo Village, Kamombo Localities, South Kivu, Congo (Democratic Republic)

Male

Hauts Plateaux, South Kivu

UK

Asset freeze, Travel Ban

Listed pursuant to paragraphs 7(c), 7(d) 7(e) and 7(h) of resolution 2293 (2016), as reaffirmed by paragraph 2 of resolution 2688 (2023) and paragraph 3 of resolution 2738 (2024) and resolution 2783 (2025): CHARLES SEMATAMA has and continues to engage in acts that undermine the peace, stability and security of the DRC. Paragraph 7(c): CHARLES SEMATAMA is the military commander, of the Twirwaneho which has opposed the demobilisation of children. The Twirwaneho is also a member of the Congo River Alliance which is a politico-military platform formed in alliance with M23, a Congolese militia which received support from outside the DRC and which impedes the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes. Paragraph 7(d): The Twirwaneho recruits or uses children in armed conflict in the DRC in violation of international law. Paragraph 7(e): The Twirwaneho is responsible for human rights abuses and/or violations of international humanitarian law, including targeted attacks against civilians and recruitment of children in armed conflict. As the military commander for Twirwaneho, SEMATAMA is responsible for planning, directing or committing these acts. Paragraph 7(h): CHARLES SEMATAMA, by his involvement with the Twirwaneho and the Congo River Alliance, collaborates with M23 (a designated entity) and therefore acts on behalf of a designated entity and shares responsibility for crimes committed by M23 in the DRC (killings, recruitment of child soldiers, and sexual abuse), which constitute human rights abuses against civilians and/or violations of international humanitarian law.

2026-07-17

UK

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019

UK country specific

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Asset freeze and making available provisions, Trade sanctions, Travel bans

• The Regulations impose financial sanctions through a targeted asset freeze on designated persons and prohibitions on making funds or economic resources available. This involves the freezing of funds and economic resources (non-monetary assets, such as property or vehicles) of designated persons and ensuring that funds and economic resources are not made available to or for the benefit of designated persons, either directly or indirectly. • The effect of the Regulations is to impose a travel ban on persons who are designated by the Secretary of State for the purposes of being made subject to immigration sanctions under the Sanctions Act. • Trade sanctions.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 came fully into force on 31 December 2020. They are intended to ensure that certain sanctions measures relating to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (‘the DRC’) continue to operate effectively. You should also review the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2020 and the Sanctions (EU Exit) (Miscellaneous Amendments) (No. 3) Regulations 2020 to find out any amendments made to the Regulations. This sanctions regime gives effect to the UK’s obligations under United Nations Security Council Resolution 1807 and aims to promote: • the resolution of the armed conflict in the DRC • respect for human rights • compliance with international humanitarian law • respect for democracy, the rule of law and good governance in the DRC These regulations have replaced, with substantially the same effect, relevant existing EU legislation and related UK regulations.

Licensing and exception provisions are contained in Part 6 of the Regulations.