Council Implementing Regulation (EU) No 1275/2014 of 1 December 2014 implementing Article 9(1) and (4) of Regulation (EC) No 1183/2005 imposing certain specific restrictive measures directed against persons acting in violation of the arms embargo with regard to the Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Mouvement Du 23 Mars (M23) is an armed group operating in the DRC that has been the recipient of arms and related materiel, including advice, training, and assistance related to military activities. Several eyewitness testimonies state that M23 receives general military supplies from the Rwandan Defense Forces (RDF) in the form of weapons and ammunition in addition to materiel support for combat operations. M23 has been complicit in and responsible for committing serious violations of international law involving the targeting of women and children in situations of armed conflict in the DRC including killing and maiming, sexual violence, abduction, and forced displacement. According to numerous reports, investigations, and testimonies from eyewitnesses, M23 has been responsible for carrying out mass killings of civilians, as well as raping women and children throughout various regions of the DRC. Several reports indicate that M23 fighters have carried out 46 rapes against women and girls, the youngest of which was 8 years old. In addition to reports of sexual violence, M23 has also carried out extensive forced recruitment campaigns of children into the ranks of the group. It is estimated that M23 has carried out the forced recruitment of 146 young men and boys in the Rutshuru territory alone in eastern DRC since July 2012. Some of the victims have been as young as 15 years old. The atrocities committed by M23 against the civilian population of the DRC, as well as M23's forced recruitment campaign, and being the recipient of arms and military assistance has dramatically contributed to instability and conflict within the region and in some instances, violated international law.

• 1. MACHANGA LTD

Address: Kampala, Uganda. Date of UN designation: 29 March 2007. Other information: Gold export company (Directors: Mr Rajendra Kumar Vaya and Mr Hirendra M. Vaya). In 2010, assets belonging to Machanga, held in the account of Emirates Gold, were frozen by Bank of Nova Scotia Mocatta (UK). The previous owner of Machanga, Rajendra Kumar, and his brother Vipul Kumar, have remained involved in purchasing gold from eastern DRC.

Additional information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

Machanga bought gold through a regular commercial relationship with traders in the DRC tightly linked to militias. This constitutes “provision of assistance” to illegal armed groups in breach of the arms embargo of resolutions 1493 (2003) and 1596 (2005). Gold export company (Directors: Mr Rajendra Kumar Vaya and Mr Hirendra M. Vaya). In 2010, assets belonging to Machanga, held in the account of Emirates Gold, were frozen by Bank of Nova Scotia Mocatta (UK). The previous owner of Machanga, Rajendra Kumar, and his brother Vipul Kumar, have remained involved in purchasing gold from eastern DRC.

• 1. TOUS POUR LA PAIX ET LE DEVELOPPEMENT (NGO) (alias: TPD)

Address: Goma, North Kivu, DRC. Date of UN designation: 1 November 2005. Other information: Goma, with provincial committees in South Kivu, Kasai Occidental, Kasai Oriental and Maniema Officially suspended all activities since 2008. In practice, as of June 2011 TPD offices are open and involved in cases related to returns of IDPs, community reconciliation initiatives, land conflict settlements, etc. The TPD President is Eugene Serufuli and Vice-President is Saverina Karomba. Important members include North Kivu provincial deputies Robert Seninga and Bertin Kirivita.

Additional information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

Implicated in violation of the arms embargo by providing assistance to RCD-G, particularly in supplying trucks to transport arms and troops, and also by transporting weapons for distribution to parts of the population in Masisi and Rutshuru, North Kivu, in early 2005. Goma, with provincial committees in South Kivu, Kasai Occidental, Kasai Oriental and Maniema Officially suspended all activities since 2008. In practice, as of June 2011 TPD offices are open and involved in cases related to returns of IDPs, community reconciliation initiatives, land conflict settlements, etc. The TPD President is Eugene Serufuli and Vice-President is Saverina Karomba. Important members include North Kivu provincial deputies Robert Seninga and Bertin Kirivita.

• 1. UGANDA COMMERCIAL IMPEX (UCI) LTD

Address: a) Kajoka Street, Kisemente, Kampala, Uganda (Tel. +256 41 533 578/9), b) PO BOX 22709, Kampala, Uganda. Date of UN designation: 29 March 2007. Other information: Gold export company. (Former directors Mr J.V. LODHIA — known as “Chuni”- and his son Mr Kunal LODHIA). In January 2011, Ugandan authorities notified the Committee that following an exemption on its financial holdings, Emirates Gold repaid UCI's debt to Crane Bank in Kampala, leading to final closure of its accounts. The previous owner of UCI, J.V. Lodhia and his son Kumal Lodhia have remained involved in purchasing gold from eastern DRC.

Additional information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

UCI bought gold through a regular commercial relationship with traders in the DRC tightly linked to militias. This constitutes “provision of assistance” to illegal armed groups in breach of the arms embargo of resolutions 1493 (2003) and 1596 (2005). Gold export company. (Former directors Mr J.V. LODHIA — known as “Chuni”- and his son Mr Kunal LODHIA). In January 2011, Ugandan authorities notified the Committee that following an exemption on its financial holdings, Emirates Gold repaid UCI's debt to Crane Bank in Kampala, leading to final closure of its accounts. The previous owner of UCI, J.V. Lodhia and his son Kumal Lodhia have remained involved in purchasing gold from eastern DRC.’