In accordance with paragraph 2 (g) of the Guidelines for the conduct of its work, the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1533 (2004) concerning the Democratic Republic of the Congo makes accessible a narrative summary of reasons for the listing for individuals, groups, undertakings and entities included in its sanctions list.
BERNARD MAHESHE BYAMUNGU was listed on 25 October 2023 pursuant to paragraph 7 (c) and 7 (h) of resolution 2293 (2016), as reaffirmed by paragraph 2 of resolution 2688 (2023): He has and continues to engage in acts that undermine the peace and security of the DRC. He is a military leader of a Congolese militia which received support from outside the DRC and which impedes the disarmament and reintegration process. BERNARD MAHESHE BYAMUNGU leads M23, a designated entity.
BERNARD MAHESHE BYAMUNGU has consistently and repeatedly abused his power in roles of military leadership within several armed groups to commit human rights abuses in the DRC.
BERNARD MAHESHE BYAMUNGU was a senior RCD-Goma military commander of the 8th Brigade. During this time, he planned and directed atrocities in Kindu, including public extrajudicial executions of three soldiers on the streets of Kindu. He later was responsible for large numbers of opportunistic killings of civilians in Kivu, which constitute human rights abuses.
Since at least 2012, BERNARD MAHESHE BYAMUNGU has been an affiliate and leader of sanctioned entity M23. Since October 2022, BERNARD MAHESHE BYAMUNGU has been the Deputy Commander of operations and intelligence for M23, which committed atrocities against civilians in, amongst others, Kisheshe on 29 November 2022.