United States of America President Joe Biden has issued an executive order which extends his administration’s legal powers to impose serious sanctions on Democratic Republic of Congo President Felix Tshisekedi and his administration as well as issue military action to curb violence ahead of the December 20, 2023 presidential and legislative election.
The order will target individuals whose actions or policies threaten the peace, security, or stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
These individuals include but are not limited to the Head of State, the president of CENI, the president of the Constitutional Court or the Army Commander, among others if their actions or policies undermine democratic processes or institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
President Biden’s executive order on sanctions also extends to persons deemed in support to persons, including armed groups, involved in activities that threaten the peace, security, or stability of the Democratic Republic of the Congo or that undermine democratic processes or institutions in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, through the illicit trade in natural resources.
Those adjudged to support M23 rebels have also been covered for possible punishment under the order.
According to the order, persons targeting women, children, or any civilians through the commission of acts of violence (including killing, maiming, torture, or rape or other sexual violence), abduction, forced displacement, or attacks on schools, hospitals, religious sites, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law.
Police officers who were captured beating a child in Kinshasa during an opposition protest are targeted for sanctions so are members of Tshisekedi’s intelligence system, ANR, that allegedly tortured Ensemble pour la Republique spokesman Cherubin Okende to death in July.
According to a communique issue last night President Biden states, “On October 27, 2006, by Executive Order 13413, the President declared a national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) to deal with the unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States constituted by the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which has been marked by widespread violence and atrocities that continue to threaten regional stability.
The President took additional steps to address this national emergency in Executive Order 13671 of July 8, 2014. The situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo continues to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the foreign policy of the United States.
“For this reason, the national emergency declared in Executive Order 13413 of October 27, 2006, as amended by Executive Order 13671 of July 8, 2014, must continue in effect beyond October 27, 2023.
“Therefore, in accordance with section 202(d) of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622(d)), I am continuing for 1 year the national emergency with respect to the situation in or in relation to the Democratic Republic of the Congo declared in Executive Order 13413, as amended by Executive Order 13671,” the order read.
The order also gives the United States authority to station its military in the Democratic Republic of Congo for an operation that seeks to protect its interest.
With elections approaching in the DRC, officials at the Constitution Court are scheming in liaison with Tshisekedi to eliminate popular opposition candidate Moise Katumbi from the race. The illegal decision threatens the stability and peace of the DRC with widespread violence in the already war-torn country feared.
