Credit: Wikipedia /  Central African Republic (CAR) flag

By Gary Raynaldo     DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

The United States Treasury Department  Friday sanctioned Bi Sidi Souleymane, a notorious leader of a murderous group that has committed numerous human rights abuses and displaced thousands of people in the Central African Republic (CAR) since 2015.  The US  acted pursuant to Executive Order 13667 and alongside the UN in designating Souleymane, also known as Sidiki Abbas, who leads the Central African Republic based militia group Return, Reclamation, Rehabilitation (3R), according to a statement from the Treasury Department.  On September 27, 2016, 3R raided the village of De Gaulle, killing at least 17 villagers, and raping women and girls, according to the Treasury Department. During and immediately after 3R’s raid on De Gaulle, 3R members and Souleymane himself tortured villagers. On May 21, 2019, 3R killed at least 34 unarmed civilians in three villages in northwest CAR’s Ouham-Pendé province, summarily executing adult males.

“Under Souleymane’s leadership, the 3R militia committed brutal atrocities against innocent civilians, The United States will continue to aggressively use its tools and authorities to target and expose human rights abusers, wherever they are.”

-Deputy Secretary Justin G. Muzinich

Souleymane was designated for being responsible for the targeting of women, children, or civilians through the commission of acts of violence, abduction, forced displacement, or attacks on civilian, religious, or locations where civilians are seeking refuge, or through conduct that would constitute a serious abuse or violation of human rights or a violation of international humanitarian law. Moreover, Souleymane himself has directly perpetrated torture in CAR, according to the U.S. Additionally, the corresponding UN sanctions obligate all UN Member States to impose an asset freeze and travel ban on Souleymane. As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of Souleymane that are in or come within the United States or that are in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC.