UK amends Congo River Alliance sanctions entry

LONDON, November 12, 2026 — Britain amended the sanctions entry for Alliance Fleuve Congo on Nov. 12, leaving the group's existing asset freeze in place under its Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office described the action as a variation of an existing designation, not a new listing. The group, also named Congo River Alliance and AFC, was designated on July 17, 2026, with the United Nations recorded as the designation source. Its entry carries UK reference DRC0076 and UN reference CDe.010.

In the notice, the Foreign Office said the alliance acts on behalf of and supports M23, a designated entity. It said the alliance impedes M23 combatants' participation in disarmament, demobilization and reintegration processes and shares responsibility for M23's destabilizing activities, including through exploitation of natural resources such as coltan.

The notice reiterates that anyone who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect they hold or control a designated person's funds or economic resources must freeze them and report findings to OFSI. Dealing with those assets or making them available to or for the benefit of the designated person is prohibited unless a legislative exception or an OFSI license applies.