Council Regulation (EU) No 224/2014 of 10 March 2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of the situation in the Central African Republic

Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

President and commander-in-chief of the Front Démocratique du Peuple Centrafricain (FDPC, an armed group engaged in violent activities), Martin Koumatamadji has engaged in acts threatening the peace, stability and security of the CAR and, in particular, the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR signed on 6 February 2019 in Bangui.

He refused the disarmament of FDPC combatants, as per his commitments as a signatory of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR, and threatened to overthrow President Touadéra in July 2019.

He began cooperating with sanctioned individual Nourredine Adam (CFi.002) in June 2019 and engaged in arms trafficking with a close associate of Nourredine Adam, in order to build up the military capabilities of the FDPC.

He also made an offer to the Front Populaire pour la Renaissance de la Centrafrique (FPRC) to carry out a military operation with his armed group during the fighting in Vakaga prefecture in 2019.

He continued to impede the restoration of state authority in the areas of operation of the FPDC by maintaining illegal roadblocks to extort cattle herders, economic actors (including gold mining companies operating in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture), and travellers.

Under his leadership, the FDPC committed acts that constituted human rights abuses or violations in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture, including attacks directed against civilians in April 2019, abductions of civilians in March 2019 (near Zoukombo) and acts of sexual and gender-based violence in May 2019 (in Bagary). In 2017, the FDPC also committed 14 acts of sexual violence in conflict.

Between 2016 and 2019, the FDPC recruited children to serve as soldiers in armed conflict and forced eleven girls into marriage with FDPC members.

In March 2019, he was involved in obstructing the delivery of humanitarian aid when the FDPC, under Miskine’s leadership, conducted a series of attacks on the main road into Bangui from Cameroon.

Finally, FDPC elements skirmished with MINUSCA in April 2019 near Zoukombo (Nana-Mambéré prefecture) and on the Bouar-Beleko axis.

14. Bi Sidi SOULEMAN (alias: a) Sidiki b) ‘General’ Sidiki c) Sidiki Abbas d) Souleymane Bi Sidi e) Bi Sidi Soulemane)

Designation: President and self-proclaimed ‘general’ of the Retour, Réclamation et Réhabilitation (3R)

Date of Birth: 20 July 1962

Place of Birth: Bocaranga, Central African Republic

Nationality: Central African Republic

Passport No: Laissez-passer No N°235/MISPAT/DIRCAB/DGPC/DGAEI/SI/SP, issued on 15 March 2019 (issued by the Minister of Interior of the Central African Republic )

Address: Koui, Ouham-Pendé prefecture, Central African Republic

Date of UN designation: 5 August 2020

Other information:

Bi Sidi Souleman leads the Central African Republic (CAR)-based militia group Retour, Réclamation, Réhabilitation (3R) which has killed, tortured, raped, and displaced civilians and engaged in arms trafficking, illegal taxation activities, and warfare with other militias since its creation in 2015. Bi Sidi Souleman himself has also participated in torture. On 6 February 2019, 3R signed the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in the CAR but has engaged in acts violating the Agreement and remains a threat to the peace, stability and security of the CAR. For instance, on 21 May 2019, 3R killed 34 unarmed civilians in three villages, summarily executing adult males. Bi Sidi Souleman openly confirmed to a UN Entity that he had ordered 3R elements to the villages on the date of the attacks, but did not admit to giving the orders for 3R to kill. In December 2020, after having joined a coalition of armed groups established to disrupt the electoral process, Bi Sidi Souleman was reportedly killed during fighting.

Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

Bi Sidi Souleman was listed on 5 August 2020 pursuant to paragraph 20 and paragraph 21 (b) of resolution 2399 (2018), extended by paragraph 5 of resolution 2507 (2020), for engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the Central African Republic, including acts that threaten or impede the stabilization and reconciliation process or that fuel violence; and being involved in planning, directing, or committing acts in the Central African Republic that violate international human rights law or international humanitarian law, as applicable, or that constitute human rights abuses or violations, including those involving targeting of civilians, ethnic- or religious-based attacks, attacks on civilian objects, including administrative centres, courthouses, schools and hospitals, and abduction and forced displacement.

Additional information

President and self-proclaimed ‘general’ of the Retour, Réclamation et Réhabilitation (3R) armed group, Bi Sidi Souleman has engaged in acts threatening the peace, stability and security of the CAR and, in particular, threatening the implementation of the Political Agreement for Peace and Reconciliation in CAR signed on 6 February 2019 in Bangui.

He and fighters under his command have committed acts that constitute serious violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law. On 21 May 2019, 3R killed 34 unarmed civilians in three villages (Koundjili, Lemouna and Bohong), summarily executing adult males.

Under his leadership, 3R elements committed acts involving sexual and gender-based violence. In September 2017, during an attack against Bocaranga, 3R elements raped several women and girls. Between March and April 2020, 3R elements were involved in seven cases of sexual violence in three villages in the Ouham-Pendé prefecture.

Under his leadership, 3R continued to impede the restoration of state authority in its areas of operation by maintaining illegal taxation systems, especially on transhumance activities and on travelers, and has been involved in the illegal exploitation of gold in the Mambéré-Kadéï and Nana-Mambéré prefectures.

In 2019, under his leadership, 3R committed its first violations of the Peace Agreement. Bi Sidi Souleman initially refused to start the disarmament and the demobilization of the 3R fighters supposed to participate in the first special mixed security unit in the west of the CAR and 3R also continued to expand its control over territories forcing MINUSCA into launching an operation in the Ouham-Pendé, Nana-Mambéré, and Mambéré-Kadéï prefectures in September 2019, as well as in arms trafficking in order to build up its military capabilities and in the recruitment of fighters from abroad.

In 2020, under his leadership, 3R continued and to commit violations of the Peace agreement and to expand its control over territories in the West. In May 2020, 3R elements occupied the gendarmerie of Besson in the Nana-Mambéré prefecture and former 3R elements deserted the Bouar USMS. On 5 June 2020, Bi Sidi Souleman announced the suspension of the participation of 3R in the Agreement’s follow-up mechanisms until further notice. On 9 June 2020, presumed 3R elements attacked the training camp of the Bouar USMS as well as a joint MINUSCA and national forces checkpoint in Pougol. On 21 June 2020, 3R elements attacked a joint MINUSCA and national forces patrol near Besson resulting in the death of three Central African soldiers.

15. Ali DARASSA (alias: a) Ali Darassa Mahamat b) Ali Mahamat Darassa c) Ali Daras d) Ali Darrassa e) Général Ali Darassa)

Designation: Founder and leader of the Unité pour la Paix en Centrafrique (UPC)

Date of Birth: 22 September 1978

Place of Birth: Kabo, Ouham Prefecture, Central African Republic

Nationality: Central African Republic

National Identification No.: 10978000004482

Date of UN designation: 21 December 2021

Other information: Ali Darassa founded and still leads the Central African Republic (CAR)-based militia group Unité pour la Paix en Centrafrique (UPC), which has killed, tortured, raped, and displaced civilians, committed a large number of abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and engaged in arms trafficking, illegal taxation activities, and warfare against CAR defence and security forces, as well as other militias, since its creation in 2014. In December 2020, he played a leading role in the creation of the Coalition des patriotes pour le changement (CPC) that took up arms to oppose the elections and attempted to enter the capital Bangui, in violation of the commitments made by the UPC under the Accord politique pour la paix et la reconciliation (APPR) signed on 6 February 2019. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/How-we-work/Notices/View-UN-Notices-Individuals

Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

Ali Darassa was listed on 21 December 2021 pursuant to paragraph 20 and paragraph 21 (b) of resolution 2399 (2018), extended by resolution 2588 (2021), for engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the Central African Republic, including acts that threaten or impede the stabilization and reconciliation process or that fuel violence; and for being involved in planning, directing, or committing acts in the Central African Republic that violate international human rights law and international humanitarian law, as applicable, or that constitute human rights abuses or violations, including those involving targeting of civilians, ethnic- or religious-based attacks, attacks on civilian objects, including administrative centres, courthouses, schools and hospitals, and abduction and forced displacement.

Additional information:

Ali Darassa founded and still leads the Central African Republic (CAR)-based militia group Unité pour la Paix en Centrafrique (UPC), which has killed, tortured, raped, and displaced civilians, committed a large number of abuses of human rights and violations of international humanitarian law, and engaged in arms trafficking, illegal taxation activities, and warfare against CAR defense and security forces, as well as other militias, since its creation in 2014. In December 2020, he played a leading role in the creation of the Coalition des patriotes pour le changement (CPC) that took up arms to oppose the elections and attempted to enter the capital, in violation of the commitments made by the UPC under the Accord politique pour la paix et la reconciliation (APPR) signed on 6 February 2019.

Fighters under Ali Darassa’s command have committed acts that constitute serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law. On 10 November 2014, UPC fighters attacked the villages of Bolo in Ouaka Prefecture and 10 civilians were killed including three elderly women who were burned alive in their homes. On 12 December 2017, UPC and FPRC elements opened fire on a hospital, killing 17 civilians, including 4 children. On 15 November 2018, UPC elements attacked an internally displaced persons camp in Alindao, killing between 70 to 100 civilians.

Under Darassa’s leadership, UPC continued to oppose the restoration of State authority. In 2016, UPC fighters posed a threat to the electoral process on several occasions. On 29 March 2016, UPC fighters fired bullets over an electoral post and wounded several internally displaced persons.

Since December 2020, as one of the leaders of the CPC, Ali Darassa has participated in violations of the APPR, attempts to prevent the legislative and presidential elections and, more broadly, to destabilize the Central African Republic. Due to threats made by UPC fighters under Ali Darassa’s command, voting operations could not take place on 27 December 2020 in areas under UPC’s control, for instance in several areas of the Ouaka and Haut-Mbomou Prefectures. In January 2021, UPC attempted to enter Bangui by force.

B. Entities

2. LORD'S RESISTANCE ARMY (alias: a) LRA b) Lord's Resistance Movement (LRM) c) Lord's Resistance Movement/Army (LRM/A)

Address: a) Vakaga, Central African Republic b) Haute-Kotto, Central African Republic c) Basse-Kotto, Central African Republic d) Haut-Mbomou, Central African Republic e) Mbomou, Central African Republic f) HautUolo, Democratic Republic of the Congo g) Bas-Uolo, Democratic Republic of the Congo h) (Reported address: Kafia Kingi (a territory on the border of Sudan and South Sudan whose final status has yet to be determined). As of January 2015, 500 Lord's Resistance Army elements were reportedly expelled from the Sudan.)

Date of UN designation: 7 March 2016.

Other Information:

Emerged in northern Uganda in the 1980s. Has engaged in the abduction, killing and mutilation of thousands of civilians in Central Africa, including hundreds in the Central African Republic. The leader is Joseph Kony. INTERPOL-UN Security Council Special Notice web link: https://www.interpol.int/en/notice/search/une/5932344

Information from the narrative summary of reasons for listing provided by the Sanctions Committee:

The Lord's Resistance Army was listed on 7 March 2016 pursuant to paragraphs 12 and 13 (b), (c), and (d) of Resolution 2262 (2016) as ‘engaging in or providing support for acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the CAR;’, ‘involved in planning, directing, or committing acts that violate international human rights law or international humanitarian law, as applicable, or that constitute human rights abuses or violations, in the CAR, including acts involving sexual violence, targeting of civilians, ethnic- or religious-based attacks, attacks on schools and hospitals, and abduction and forced displacement;’, ‘recruiting or using children in armed conflict in the CAR, in violation of applicable international law;’ and ‘providing support for armed groups or criminal networks through the illicit exploitation or trade of natural resources, including diamonds, gold, and wildlife products in or from the CAR’.

Additional information:

Emerging in northern Uganda in the 1980s, the LRA has engaged in the abduction, killing, and mutilation of thousands of civilians across central Africa. Under increasing military pressure, Joseph Kony, the LRA's leader, ordered the LRA to withdraw from Uganda in 2005 and 2006. Since then, the LRA has been operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), CAR, South Sudan and reportedly Sudan.

Since December 2013, the LRA has kidnapped, displaced, committed sexual violence against, and killed hundreds of individuals across CAR, and has looted and destroyed civilian property. Concentrated in eastern CAR and reportedly in Kafia Kingi, a territory on the border of Sudan and South Sudan whose final status has yet to be determined but militarily controlled by the former, the LRA raids villages to pillage food and supplies. The fighters set ambushes to attack security forces and steal their equipment when they respond to LRA attacks, and LRA fighters also target and loot villages that do not have a military presence. The LRA has also intensified attacks on diamond and gold mining sites.

LRA cells are frequently accompanied by captives who are forced to work as porters, cooks, and sex slaves. The LRA engages in gender-based violence including rapes of women and young girls.

In December 2013, the LRA abducted dozens of people in Haute-Kotto. The LRA is reported to have been involved in the abductions of hundreds of civilians in CAR since the beginning of 2014.

LRA fighters attacked Obo, in eastern CAR's Haut-Mbomou Prefecture, on several occasions in early 2014.

The LRA continued to carry out attacks in Obo and other locations in southeastern CAR between May and July 2014, including apparently coordinated attacks and abductions in Mbomou Prefecture in early June.

Since at least 2014, the LRA has been involved in elephant poaching and elephant trafficking for revenue generation. The LRA reportedly traffics ivory from Garamba National Park in northern DRC to Darfur, to trade for weapons and supplies. The LRA reportedly transports poached elephant tusks through CAR into Darfur, Sudan to sell. Additionally, as of early 2014, Kony had reportedly ordered LRA fighters to loot diamonds and gold from miners in eastern CAR for transport to Sudan. As of January 2015, 500 Lord's Resistance Army elements were reportedly expelled from the Sudan.

In early February 2015, LRA fighters armed with heavy weapons abducted civilians in Kpangbayanga, Haut-Mbomou, and stole food items.

On April 20, 2015, an LRA attack and the abduction of children from Ndambissoua, southeastern CAR led most of the village residents to flee. And in early July 2015, the LRA attacked several villages in southern Haute-Kotto Prefecture; the attacks involved looting, violence against civilians, burning of houses, and kidnapping.

Since January 2016, attacks imputed to the LRA have multiplied in Mbomou, Haut-Mbomou and Haute-Kotto affecting in particular mining areas in Haute-Kotto. These attacks have involved looting, violence against civilians, destruction of property and abductions. They have led to displacements of the population, including around 700 people who have sought refuge in Bria.

ANNEX II

Websites for information on the competent authorities and address for notifications to the European Commission

BELGIUM

https://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/policy/policy_areas/peace_and_security/sanctions

BULGARIA

https://www.mfa.bg/en/EU-sanctions

CZECHIA

www.financnianalytickyurad.cz/mezinarodni-sankce.html

DENMARK

https://um.dk/udenrigspolitik/sanktioner/ansvarlige-myndigheder

GERMANY

https://www.bmwi.de/Redaktion/DE/Artikel/Aussenwirtschaft/embargos-aussenwirtschaftsrecht.html

ESTONIA

https://vm.ee/sanktsioonid-ekspordi-ja-relvastuskontroll/rahvusvahelised-sanktsioonid

IRELAND

https://www.dfa.ie/our-role-policies/ireland-in-the-eu/eu-restrictive-measures/

GREECE

http://www.mfa.gr/en/foreign-policy/global-issues/international-sanctions.html

SPAIN

https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/PoliticaExterior/Paginas/SancionesInternacionales.aspx

FRANCE

http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/autorites-sanctions/

CROATIA

https://mvep.gov.hr/vanjska-politika/medjunarodne-mjere-ogranicavanja/22955

ITALY

https://www.esteri.it/it/politica-estera-e-cooperazione-allo-sviluppo/politica_europea/misure_deroghe/

CYPRUS

https://mfa.gov.cy/themes/

LATVIA

https://www.fid.gov.lv/en

LITHUANIA

https://www.urm.lt/en/lithuania-in-the-region-and-the-world/lithuanias-security-policy/international-sanctions/997

LUXEMBOURG

https://maee.gouvernement.lu/fr/directions-du-ministere/affaires-europeennes/organisations-economiques-int/mesures-restrictives.html

HUNGARY

https://kormany.hu/kulgazdasagi-es-kulugyminiszterium/ensz-eu-szankcios-tajekoztato

MALTA

https://smb.gov.mt/

NETHERLANDS

https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/internationale-sancties

AUSTRIA

https://www.bmeia.gv.at/themen/aussenpolitik/europa/eu-sanktionen-nationale-behoerden/

POLAND

https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/sankcje-miedzynarodowe

https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/international-sanctions

PORTUGAL

https://portaldiplomatico.mne.gov.pt/politica-externa/medidas-restritivas

ROMANIA

http://www.mae.ro/node/1548

SLOVENIA

http://www.mzz.gov.si/si/omejevalni_ukrepi

SLOVAKIA

https://www.mzv.sk/europske_zalezitosti/europske_politiky-sankcie_eu

FINLAND

https://um.fi/pakotteet

SWEDEN

https://www.regeringen.se/sanktioner

Address for notifications to the European Commission:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Financial Stability, Financial Services and Capital Markets Union (DG FISMA)

Rue de Spa 2/Spastraat 2

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel,

E-mail: relex-sanctions@ec.europa.eu

[^E0001]: OJ C 69, 18.3.2010, p. 19.

[^E0002]: Regulation (EU) No 258/2012 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 2012 implementing Article 10 of the United Nations’ Protocol against the illicit manufacturing of and trafficking in firearms, their parts and components and ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organised Crime (UN Firearms Protocol), and establishing export authorisation, and import and transit measures for firearms, their parts and components and ammunition (OJ L 94, 30.3.2012, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2012/258/oj).