US imposes sanctions on two militia commanders in the CAR

The United States has imposed financial sanctions against two militia leaders in the Central African Republic.

Abdoulaye Hissene and Maxime Mokom are accused of fuelling conflict in CAR which is struggling to end years of division and bloodshed.

“The individuals designated today are responsible for prolonging instability in the Central African Republic…Today’s action underscores our ongoing efforts to target those responsible for fueling violence and human rights abuses in the Central African Republic,” said Director John Smith of the US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.

Both their assets within US jurisdiction have been blocked and US persons are generally prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

Hissene is a chief in the mainly Muslim Seleka rebel coalition that ousted former President Francois Bozize in 2013.

Mokom is a leader in the largely Christian anti-Balaka militia which arose in reaction to Bozize’s ouster.

The the US Treasury said in a statement the two individuals were identified as suspects in the failed coup against then-interim President Catherine Samba-Panza in 2015. They also conspired to disrupt a constitutional referendum.

An inter-religious conflict in 2013, plunged CAR into chaos. Thousands of people were killed and many more were forced to flee their homes.