UN sanctions rules updated for CAR, DRC, Somalia

Summary#

This final regulation, Regulations Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the United Nations Act (SOR/2026-180), updates Canada’s rules that implement recent United Nations Security Council decisions for the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan and Somalia. It clarifies who and what is covered by existing arms and sanctions rules, removes some advance-notification requirements, and adds new export prohibitions for Somalia (including certain explosive precursors). The changes came into force on registration (registered on August 13, 2026) and were published on August 26, 2026.

What it does#

• Updates wording and definitions across four existing regulations so they match recent UN Security Council resolutions and reduce inconsistent language.
• Central African Republic (CAR)
  • Removes the arms embargo on the CAR government and refocuses the ban on non-state armed actors.
  • Removes references to “armed mercenaries.”
• Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
  • Broadens and clarifies the definition of military activities.
  • Removes the requirement to notify the UN sanctions committee in advance for some shipments and for supplying non‑lethal military equipment intended for humanitarian or protective use.
• South Sudan
  • Removes advance-notification requirements for some non-lethal military equipment supplied to support the 2018 peace agreement.
  • Removes references to a now‑dissolved African Union task force.
• Somalia
  • Clarifies that arms and related material may be supplied to Somali government forces and certain authorized bodies.
  • Adds a new ban on exporting explosive precursors and other materials that can be used to make improvised explosive devices (IEDs), mirroring Part I of Annex B of UN Resolution 2776 (2025).
  • Removes the advance-notice requirement for some non‑lethal equipment and extends a protective‑clothing exception to private security contractors.
• Miscellaneous
  • Standardizes the definition of “designated person” and the UN sanctions committee references to make future changes easier to apply.
  • Changes how dealings with property of designated persons are described (e.g., wording about property “held or controlled, directly or indirectly”).
  • Keeps the usual exceptions for humanitarian aid, protective clothing for UN and aid workers, and some non‑lethal equipment for humanitarian use.

Who's affected#

• Exporters and manufacturers of arms, military components, explosives or dual‑use items that could be used in weapons or IEDs.
• Owners/operators of Canadian vessels and Canadian‑registered aircraft involved in transport to the affected countries.
• Defence, security and private security contractors active in or supplying the CAR, DRC, South Sudan or Somalia.
• Humanitarian organisations, media and UN personnel who rely on exemptions (e.g., protective clothing, non‑lethal equipment) and should note changed notification rules.
• Global Affairs Canada, which administers permits and certificates; and enforcement agencies such as the Canada Border Services Agency and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, which carry out checks and enforcement.
• Small businesses: the government says Canadian trade with these four countries is limited, so most small firms are unlikely to be affected.

Why it matters#

• These amendments bring Canada into alignment with new binding UN Security Council measures. That means Canadian rules now reflect how the UN wants sanctions and embargoes applied in these four countries.
• For business: removing several advance-notification requirements may reduce administrative steps for some lawful humanitarian or protective shipments. But the new Somalia ban on explosive precursors could restrict exports of certain chemicals and materials and may require certificates or permits in exceptional cases.
• For enforcement and penalties: people who knowingly break these regulations face criminal penalties — for summary conviction, a fine up to $100,000 or up to 1 year in jail (or both); for indictment, up to 10 years in prison.
• Trade context: Canada’s exports to these countries are small, for example $3.1 million to the CAR, $21.4 million to the DRC, $374,642 to South Sudan and $3.0 million to Somalia in 2025, so the government expects only minor commercial impacts overall.
• Humanitarian operations should take note: many of the rules keep or clarify humanitarian exceptions, but organisations may need to double-check which shipments require prior notice or documentation under the updated wording.