Taking Additional Steps to Address the National Emergency With Respect to the Conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

This executive order expands U.S. sanctions authority against individuals and entities fueling conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It amends Executive Order 13413 to block property of additional categories of actors, including armed group leaders, human rights abusers, child soldier recruiters, obstructors of humanitarian aid, attackers of peacekeepers, and those involved in illicit natural resource trading.

Federal Register Open PDF 79 FR 39949

Key directives

Amend Executive Order 13413 to expand property-blocking criteria for DRC-related sanctions
Add new categories of sanctionable conduct including attacks on civilians, child soldier recruitment, humanitarian obstruction, peacekeeper attacks, and illicit natural resource trade
Authorize Treasury Secretary to promulgate implementing rules and regulations
Direct all U.S. government agencies to take appropriate measures to carry out provisions

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Expanded sanctions authority takes effect upon signing
Property blocking applies to newly designated persons

Near term (90d)

Treasury Department may issue implementing regulations
Potential designations of additional sanctioned individuals/entities

Long term

Ongoing sanctions enforcement and designations
Potential impact on regional conflict financing
Integration with Dodd-Frank conflict minerals provisions

Risks & tensions

Vague 'material support' and 'complicit' standards create due process concerns for designated persons
Overlap with Dodd-Frank Section 1502 conflict minerals disclosure rules creates regulatory complexity
Reliance on Treasury/State consultation without interagency process may limit diplomatic coordination
No sunset or review mechanism specified for expanded authorities
Humanitarian exemption language ('authorized support') may create compliance uncertainty for NGOs