Obama Expands Scope of Sanction Authority on Congolese Individuals
President Barack Obama expanded the scope of U.S. authority to impose sanctions on Congolese officials that destabilize the country. The order, which amends the 2006 Executive Order 13413, authorizes U.S. officials to block property and interests in property that are in the U.S. or come within the U.S., or that come into possession or control of U.S. persons, while prohibiting the transfer, payment or export to, and other dealings with the sanctioned officials. The revised order, like the initial order, authorizes the Secretary of Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, to enter into force rules and regulations to carry out sanctions on individuals that violate the terms of the executive order. It also permits the Secretary of Treasury to delegate authority to other U.S. agencies in order to employ sanctions.
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The new order spells out more comprehensive criteria for transgressions that warrant sanctions. The revised order directs sanctions on individuals responsible for wide-ranging transgressions, including general destabilization, attacks on United Nations interests and violence against women and children. "The United States continues to be deeply concerned about the situation in the [Democratic Republic of Congo], which has been marked by activities that threaten the peace, security, and stability of the country and the surrounding region, including operations by armed groups, widespread violence and atrocities, human rights abuses, recruitment and use of child soldiers, attacks on peacekeepers, obstruction of humanitarian operations, and exploitation of natural resources to finance persons engaged in these activities," said the White House in a Fact Sheet press release.