In a clear warning to those who may threaten the peace, stability and security of the Central African Republic, the United States has imposed sanctions on five individuals who are contributing to the terrible violence there.
President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order May 13 stating that dangers posed by the instability in the C.A.R. constitute a threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States and declared a national emergency to deal with the threat.
The order freezes any financial assets in the United States held by former President Francois Bozize, former transitional President and leader of the Seleka rebellion Michel Djotodia, Seleka General Noureddine Adam, Seleka rebel leader Abdoulaye Miskine, and anti-balaka political coordinator Levi Yakite. It also bans their entry into the United States.
The United States is not alone in taking such action. On May 9, the United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on Bozize, Adam, and Yakite, freezing their assets and prohibiting their travel.
Thousands of people have been killed since the Seleka rebellion began in late 2012. The rebellion eventually drove Bozize from power in March 2013. The violence continued to escalate, resulting in the formation of the “anti-balaka” militias that first targeted Seleka rebels and then Muslim communities more broadly.
The violence has resulted in the displacement of about one million people. Human rights abuses have occurred on both sides, with recruitment of child soldiers, rapes, kidnappings and attacks on schools, hospitals and religious sites.
The sanctions announcement follows several steps our nation is taking to address the critical needs in the C.A.R. U.S. Special Representative for the C.A.R. Stuart Symington was named in April to coordinate U.S. policies in the conflict. The U.S. committed $100 million this year to support African Union and French forces working to restore security there. This is in addition to nearly $67 million in humanitarian aid and $7.5 million for conflict mitigation and human rights programs.
Ultimately, however, the people of the C.A.R. hold their future in their own hands. We continue to urge all parties to end the violence and move ahead toward a better future for their nation and people.
President Barack Obama signed an Executive Order May 13 stating that dangers posed by the instability in the C.A.R. constitute a threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States and declared a national emergency to deal with the threat.
The order freezes any financial assets in the United States held by former President Francois Bozize, former transitional President and leader of the Seleka rebellion Michel Djotodia, Seleka General Noureddine Adam, Seleka rebel leader Abdoulaye Miskine, and anti-balaka political coordinator Levi Yakite. It also bans their entry into the United States.
The United States is not alone in taking such action. On May 9, the United Nations Security Council imposed sanctions on Bozize, Adam, and Yakite, freezing their assets and prohibiting their travel.
Thousands of people have been killed since the Seleka rebellion began in late 2012. The rebellion eventually drove Bozize from power in March 2013. The violence continued to escalate, resulting in the formation of the “anti-balaka” militias that first targeted Seleka rebels and then Muslim communities more broadly.
The violence has resulted in the displacement of about one million people. Human rights abuses have occurred on both sides, with recruitment of child soldiers, rapes, kidnappings and attacks on schools, hospitals and religious sites.
The sanctions announcement follows several steps our nation is taking to address the critical needs in the C.A.R. U.S. Special Representative for the C.A.R. Stuart Symington was named in April to coordinate U.S. policies in the conflict. The U.S. committed $100 million this year to support African Union and French forces working to restore security there. This is in addition to nearly $67 million in humanitarian aid and $7.5 million for conflict mitigation and human rights programs.
Ultimately, however, the people of the C.A.R. hold their future in their own hands. We continue to urge all parties to end the violence and move ahead toward a better future for their nation and people.
