James Kabarebe (Kabarebe) is a former RDF general and the current Minister of State for Regional Integration at the Rwandan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is a central political and military figure and has played a key role in the conflicts in the DRC over the past three decades.
Lawrence Kanyuka Kingston (Kanyuka) is M23’s civilian spokesman and public relations officer for the Congo River Alliance, a US-sanctioned coalition of rebel groups seeking to overthrow the DRC Government.
“Kanyuka is at the heart of the messaging strategy of M23 and the Congo River Alliance and conducts media and diplomatic activities on their behalf. Kanyuka is the owner of Kingston Fresh, a UK-registered company, and Kingston Holding, a French-registered mining consultancy. He is designated under E.O. 13413, as amended, for acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, M23,” states the U.S. Treasury release.
Assets and interests frozen
As a result of today’s action, all of their assets and interests that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are frozen and must be reported to OFAC.
In addition, any entity owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, at 50% or more by one or more blocked persons is also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempted, U.S. sanctions generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or in transit through) the U.S. that involve property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons.
“Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal sanctions in the U.S. and on foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis,” emphasizes the U.S. Treasury.
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