The UN Security Council on Thursday renewed its sanctions on Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to prevent supply, sale or transfer of arms, training and financing to armed groups.

Unanimously adopting a new resolution, the Security Council decided to renew until July 1, 2016 the arms embargo as well as related targeted transport, financial and travel measures imposed on DRC.

The resolution further defined the criteria for application of the financial and travel measures, such as asset freeze and travel bans, deciding to include acts of recruiting or using children in armed conflict in DRC, and being involved in targeting children or women in rape and other sexual violence.

The resolution also extended until August 1, 2016 the mandate of the Group of Experts, which was established by the Security Council to gather, examine and analyze information regarding the implementation of the resolution.

Strongly condemning all armed groups operating in the region and their violations of international humanitarian law, the resolution demanded the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) and all other armed groups operating in the DRC to cease all forms of violence immediately.

By other terms, the resolution stressed the importance of the DRC government to hold accountable those responsible for war crimes and crimes against humanity in the country, including through its cooperation with the Hague-based International Criminal Court.