UN Sanctions Committee concerning Democratic Republic of Congo adds one individual to assets freeze, travel ban list

NEW YORK, November 29, 2011/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- On 28 November 2011, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo added the following individual to the List of individuals and entities subject to the measures imposed by paragraphs 13 and 15 of resolution 1596 (2005), as renewed by paragraph 3 of resolution 1952 (2010):

Name (last/first): SHEKA, Ntabo Ntaberi; Date of Birth (DOB): 4 April 1976. Place of Birth (POB): Walikale Territory, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Passport/Identifying information: Title: Commander-in-Chief, Nduma Defence of Congo, Mayi Mayi Sheka group; Nationality: Congolese.

Designation/Justification: Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka, Commander-in-Chief of the political branch of the Mayi Mayi Sheka, is the political leader of a Congolese armed group that impedes the disarmament, demobilization, or reintegration of combatants. The Mayi Mayi Sheka is a Congo-based militia group that operates from bases in Walikale territory in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Mayi Mayi Sheka group has carried out attacks on mines in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, including taking over the Bisiye mines and extorting from locals.

Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka has also committed serious violations of international law involving the targeting of children. Ntabo Ntaberi Sheka planned and ordered a series of attacks in Walikale territory from 30 July to 2 August, 2010, to punish local populations accused of collaborating with Congolese Government forces. In the course of the attacks, children were raped and were abducted, subjected to forced labour and subjected to cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment. The Mayi Mayi Sheka militia group also forcibly recruits boys and holds children in their ranks from recruitment drives.

The Committee will continue to update the List on a regular basis. The updated List (dated 28 November 2011) will be available at the following link: www.un.org/sc/committees/1533/pdf/1533_list.pdf.