The UN has imposed sanctions on the Central African Republic’s former President Francois Bozize and two rebel leaders for undermining peace and fuelling violence in the conflict-torn country.
This is the first time that sanctions have been imposed on Central Africans under a U.N. Security Council resolution adopted in January.
The Seleka alliance of Muslim rebel groups overthrew Mr. Bozize in March 2013. They quickly became despised by Christians in the capital after Muslim fighters went on looting sprees, raping and killing civilians at random.
The anti-Balaka, armed Christian movement aided by Mr. Bozize loyalists, began retaliating several months later and this sparked sectarian bloodshed.
In January Seleka was forced to step down and this led to a transitional government being established.
At the moment an estimated 2,000 French troops and nearly 5,000 African peacekeepers are trying to stabilise the country believed to be the size of Texas.
But the violence continues and tens of thousands of Muslims have fled to the north or to neighbouring countries, a displacement the United Nations has described as “ethnic cleansing”.
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power on Saturday welcomed the unanimous decision by the Security Council committee established to monitor sanctions on the Central African to impose an asset freeze and travel ban on Mr. Bozize, Seleka leader Nourredine Adam and anti-Balaka political coordinator Levy Yakete.
According to diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity,Russia and China initially held up the designation of Mr. Bozize but recently gave a green light.
“Those who orchestrate violence and foment instability in CAR must be held accountable for their actions,” Ms. Power said in a statement. “These designations are a small step in the right direction.”
She said the Security Council “will continue to review additional designations of those responsible for undermining stability and tormenting the people of CAR”.
In the capital Bangui, Central Africans had differing opinions about the sanctions, with some saying Mr. Bozize was being scape goated and others praising the move against the former President. Still others thought the sanctions didn’t go far enough.
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