U.S. President Signs Sanctions Against Congo Warlords

A U.S. decision to freeze the assets of seven men and to bar Americans from doing business with them has been applauded by Congo's government.  The seven, described as warlords and businessmen, are accused of inflaming the civil war that ravaged the country.  One of the accusation is trafficking Conflict Diamonds.

On Tuesday, U.S. President George W. Bush signed an executive order imposing the sanctions.  “It is a warning to anyone else about dealing with these individuals,” U.S. Embassy spokesman Christopher Davis told the Associated Press.

“It's a good thing for us that the international community is beginning to sanction those who financed the war,” Congolese government spokesman Sakanyi told AP.  “Without help from outside, the war wouldn't have lasted as long.”

The seven are: Congolese warlord Laurent Nkunda, 49, whose army has been accused of torture and rape.  He is named in an international warrant for arrest for war crimes.

Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, who is accused of transporting arms in violation of embargoes.

Two of Bout's employees, Dimitri Igorevich Popov, 45, and Douglas Mpano, 41.  They are described respectively as general manager and manager of Bout’s Great Lakes Business.

Rwandan militia leader Ignace Murwanashyaka,

Khawa Panga Mandro, 33, former head of the Party for Unity and Safeguarding of the Integrity of Congo,

Sanjivan Singh Ruprah, 40, a businessman.