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.
MICHEL RUKUNDA was listed on 20 February 2024 pursuant to paragraph 7 (c), 7 (d), 7 (e) of resolution 2293 (2016) and extended by resolution 2688 (2023).
MICHEL RUKUNDA is commander and overall military leader of the armed group Twirwaneho, active in South Kivu. Under his command, this group recruits children as young as 12 years old for active participation in hostilities, including as guards, armed personal escorts for MICHEL RUKUNDA, and combatants. Children have been recruited, including by force, almost exclusively from the Banyamulenge community. Under MICHEL RUKUNDA's leadership of Twirwaneho, the armed group has killed and punished civilians for refusing to join or allowing their children to join.