On Monday, the United Kingdom imposed further sanctions against William Yakutumba and Desire Londroma Ndjukpa, two rebel leaders from the eastern, violent region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Cooperative for the Development of the Congo (CODECO) militia is led by Desire Londroma Ndjukpa, and the armed Mai-Mai Yakutumba rebel group is led by Yakutumba, a former army deserter.
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Ndjukpa and Yakutumba would be subject to asset freezes and travel bans, according to the U.K. Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Both men’s groups have used rape and mass rape, breaking international humanitarian law, the FCDO said.
“Threats of sexual violence as a weapon in conflict must stop and survivors must be supported to come forward,” said junior foreign minister Tariq Ahmad.
“These sanctions send a clear signal to perpetrators that the UK will hold you accountable for your horrendous crimes.”