Congo (DRC) Sanctions
CDFATF Grey ListCongo (DRC) is currently subject to 15 active sanctions programs imposed by Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, European Union Council, European Commission (AML High-Risk Third Countries), Financial Action Task Force, Ministry of Finance Japan and Office of Foreign Assets Control. These measures include asset freeze, travel ban, arms embargo, trade restrictions, financial restrictions and other. Congo (DRC) is also on the FATF grey list. This page lists every program targeting Congo (DRC), the legal bases behind them, and the most recent changes.
Last updated 3 Aug 2026
Programs
15
Authorities
13
Restriction Types
6
Restrictions
Sanctioning Authorities
DFATDepartment of Foreign Affairs and Trade — 1 program
EUEuropean Union Council — 1 programEU-AMLEuropean Commission (AML High-Risk Third Countries) — 1 program
FATFFinancial Action Task Force — 1 program
JAPANMinistry of Finance Japan — 1 program
OFACOffice of Foreign Assets Control — 1 program
OFSIOffice of Financial Sanctions Implementation — 2 programs
SECOState Secretariat for Economic Affairs — 1 program
SINGAPOREMonetary Authority of Singapore — 1 programUKForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office — 2 programsUK-AMLUK High-Risk Third Countries (AML/CFT) — 1 program
UNUnited Nations Security Council — 1 programWORLDBANK-FCSWorld Bank Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations — 1 programSanctions Programs
UN sanctions regime targeting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Total designated: 61 (50 individuals, 11 entities).
Resources
On 7 April 1993 the EU decided to impose an arms embargo on Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of Congo, the DRC). On 28 July 2003, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1493 (2003) imposing an arms embargo against the DRC. On 18 April 2005, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1596 (2005) imposing also targeted restrictive measures. On 21 December 2005, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1649 (2005) extending restrictive measures to political and military leaders of foreign armed groups operating in the DRC who impede the disarmament and the voluntary repatriation or resettlement of combatants belonging to those groups, and to political and military leaders of Congolese militias receiving support from outside the DRC and in particular those operating in Ituri, who impede the participation of their combatants in disarmament, demobilisation and reintegration processes. On 31 July 2006, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1698 (2006) extending restrictive measures to political and military leaders recruiting or using children in armed conflict in violation of applicable international law and to individuals committing serious violations of international law involving the targeting of children in situations of armed conflict, including killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction and forced displacement. On 17 October 2016, the EU expressed its deep concern at the political situation in the DRC. It strongly condemned the acts of extreme violence that took place on 19 and 20 September 2016 in Kinshasa, noting that those acts further exacerbated the deadlock in the country due to the failure to call the presidential elections by the constitutional deadline of 20 December 2016. The EU stressed that, in order to create a climate conducive to dialogue and the holding of elections, the Government of the DRC must clearly commit to ensuring that human rights and the rule of law are respected and must cease all use of the justice system as a political tool. It also called on all stakeholders to reject the use of violence. The EU adopted targeted measures against those responsible for serious human rights violations, those who promote violence and those who try to obstruct a consensual and peaceful solution to the crisis which respects the aspiration of the people of the DRC to elect their representatives. Derogations and exemptions to the restrictive measures are possible, including the delivery of humanitarian aid. Adopted by: UN and EU.
Resources
The European Commission identifies high-risk third countries having strategic deficiencies in their regime on anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism. In line with EU AML directives, gatekeepers such as banks are obliged to apply increased checks and control measures on business relationships and transactions involving these countries.
Resources
+21 more
Jurisdictions under increased monitoring due to strategic deficiencies in AML/CFT but actively working with FATF on action plans. When the FATF places a jurisdiction under increased monitoring, it means the country has committed to resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframes and is subject to increased monitoring.
Sanctions targeting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Total designated: 300 individuals, 333 entities.
Resources
Sanctions program addressing the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo by blocking property of persons contributing to the conflict, including armed groups, militias, and those providing support to such groups. Implements UN Security Council Resolutions regarding the illicit flow of weapons in the DRC.
Resources
+12 more
65 designated (56 individuals, 9 entities). Sources: UK, UN.
Resources
Sanctions regime targeting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 73 designated entities (62 individuals, 11 entities). Designations sourced from UK and UN. Earliest designation: 2018-02-01, latest update: 2024-02-28.
Resources
Swiss sanctions targeting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Total designated: 103 (90 individuals, 13 entities).
Resources
Singapore's targeted financial sanctions regime involving the freezing of assets of designated persons associated with the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Resources
Under The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
Resources
Sanctions regime targeting designated persons in the DRC, implementing UN obligations.
Resources
HM Treasury advisory notice identifying High Risk Third Countries (HRTCs) as defined in the Money Laundering Regulations 2017. Countries are those listed by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) under two categories: (1) High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action (3 jurisdictions - FATF black list), and (2) Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring (22 jurisdictions - FATF grey list). UK regulated firms must apply enhanced customer due diligence and enhanced ongoing monitoring on business relationships and transactions involving persons established in these jurisdictions. The notice was last updated on 22 June 2026 reflecting FATF's June 2026 plenary outcomes.
Resources
Sanctions regime targeting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Designated: 61 (50 individuals, 11 entities).
Resources
Countries classified as conflict-affected under the World Bank FCS framework
Recent Changes
Legal basis updated for OFAC Democratic Republic of the Congo-Related Sanctions
Added: UN Security Council Resolution 1698 (July 31, 2006), UN Security Council Resolution 1649 (December 21, 2005), UN Security Council Resolution 1596 (April 18, 2005)
Resources added
Added: 2 executive_order(s), 5 federal_register_notice(s), 1 general_license(s), 3 un_resolution(s), 1 brochure(s)
Legal basis updated for UK High-Risk Third Countries (AML/CFT)
Added: Regulation 33(1)(b) of the MLRs, Regulation 33(3) of the MLRs
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Singapore Targeted Financial Sanctions — Democratic Republic of the Congo renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic Republic of the Congo" to "Singapore Targeted Financial Sanctions — Democratic Republic of the Congo"
Legal basis updated for Singapore Targeted Financial Sanctions — Democratic Republic of the Congo
Added: Financial Services and Markets Act 2022, Variable Capital Companies Act 2018, United Nations Act 2001, UN Security Council Resolution 1533
1533 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) renamed
Program renamed from "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions (1533)" to "1533 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)"
Restrictions removed
Removed: sectoral
Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime" to "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions"
Legal basis updated for Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions
Added: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1533) renamed
Program renamed from "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee" to "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1533)"
Resources added
Added: 1 legal_instrument(s)
Restrictions added
Added: sectoral
Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions" to "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime"
Legal basis updated for Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime
Removed: Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Resources added
Added: 1 statutory_guidance(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 pdf(s)
UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee renamed
Program renamed from "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1533)" to "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee"
Legal basis updated for OFAC Democratic Republic of the Congo-Related Sanctions
Removed: UN Security Council Resolution 1698 (July 31, 2006), UN Security Council Resolution 1649 (December 21, 2005), UN Security Council Resolution 1596 (April 18, 2005)
Resources added
Added: 1 regulation(s), 5 federal_register_notice(s), 1 brochure(s), 1 faq(s)
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions
Resources added
Added: 1 regulation(s)
Resources added
Added: 1 guidance(s)
Legal basis updated for OFAC Democratic Republic of the Congo-Related Sanctions
Added: UNSCR 1698 (July 31, 2006), UNSCR 1649 (December 21, 2005), UNSCR 1596 (April 18, 2005)
Resources added
Added: 5 federal_register_notice(s), 1 sanctions_brochure(s)
Legal basis updated for Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions
Added: Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. Removed: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020
Restrictions removed
Removed: trade_restrictions
Legal basis updated for OFAC Democratic Republic of the Congo-Related Sanctions
Removed: UNSCR 1596 (April 18, 2005), UNSCR 1649 (December 21, 2005), UNSCR 1698 (July 31, 2006)
Legal basis updated for Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions
Added: The Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020. Removed: Democratic Republic of the Congo (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
Restrictions added
Added: trade_restrictions, financial_restrictions
Resources added
Added: 5 federal_register_notice(s), 1 brochure(s), 1 faq(s)
Legal basis updated for EU List of High-Risk Third Countries (AML/CFT)
Added: Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1184
Target countries updated
Added: BA, IQ. Removed: DZ, NA
Target countries updated
Added: BA, IQ. Removed: DZ, NA
Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime" to "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions"
Target countries updated
Added: DZ, AO, BO, BG, CM, HT, KW, LA, LB, MC, NA, NP, PG, VG. Removed: AF, BJ, BF, KH, CF, CN, GR, ML, MZ, NG, PK, PH, TZ, TR, UG, AE
Target countries updated
Added: VE, NG, SS, CF, ML, BJ, CI, AE, PH, CN, KH, PK, AF, TR, GR. Removed: HR, JM, NI, ZW, HT, LB
Restrictions added
Added: financial_restrictions
Target countries updated
Added: BF, HR, JM, MZ, NI, TZ, UG, ZW. Removed: BO, CM, CI, LA, DZ, AO, BG, NA, PG, VG, KW, MC, NP, SS, VE
UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions (1533) renamed
Program renamed from "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions (Committee 1533)" to "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions (1533)"
New program: World Bank FCS — Conflict-Affected
New sanctions program detected: World Bank FCS — Conflict-Affected
Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions" to "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime"
Democratic Republic of the Congo renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions" to "Democratic Republic of the Congo"
UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions (Committee 1533) renamed
Program renamed from "1533 (Democratic Republic of the Congo)" to "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions (Committee 1533)"
Restrictions removed
Removed: trade_restrictions
UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1533) renamed
Program renamed from "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee" to "UN Democratic Republic of the Congo Sanctions Committee (Resolution 1533)"
Restrictions added
Added: financial_restrictions
Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions renamed
Program renamed from "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions regime" to "Democratic Republic of the Congo sanctions"
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions
Restrictions removed
Removed: financial_restrictions